So^^.. 






PUEEN BERTHA, 



OR 






THE VOW. 



QUEEN BERTHA, 

OB 

THE VOW . 

in, 

FIVE ACTS . 



t) ^333 f] 

WAS H i NGTON , D^:^^^f^ washi^^'^'^ 



ALL EISHrS S3:3r7SD, 



\^^^. 



1^ 



■f6 4 



Eatersi a-.oorih? to A;t of Coagrsss, 

rsbriiar7,I33I,b7 E. M:Qtu:;i-3a3riiaa 

in tie Offioa of the Librarian of Sangreas, 

Washington D.C. 



TMP96-006740 



Printed by Hsiry Satsa Sh?Tiiii,032.a.st.Wistof,n,D,3. 



QUEEN BERTHA or THE VOW 



PREFACE 



The legend that is the subject of tlvs drama is 
taken from one of the romances of the Twelve Peers of 
Charlemain " Berte aus '^rans pies " . It is one of the 
earliest specimens of fronrh literature , being a poem 
written by Adenez in the thTteenth century and one of 
the most precious relics preserved in the National Libra- 
ry in I\-iris . 

The heroine Bertha was the daughter of Chanbert 
Count of Laon and became the wife of I'epin-'he-Short 
son of Charles -MarteU ( the Hammerer). At the second 
coronation of Pepin, by Pope Steven the second in the 
Church of Saint-Denis in 754, Bertha and her two young 
sons, Charles and Karlcnnn were also anointed. She died 
in 783 and her tomb in the vaults o^ Saint-Denis record- 
ed her grandest title to glory with the spme noble sim- 
plicity as that of Cornelia . It bore this modest inscrip- 
tion :"Berta mater Caroli micrni" . 

Oreen Bertha is pr-rhaps more prpub.r under the 
name of " Rtiie T'cdauqu^ "the goose-footed queen . Her 
statue is .still to be .sorr in the porticoes of several mo- 
numents of the pcrird , amoLg.st others the Cathedrals 



QUEEN BERTHA or THE VOW 



of Sainte-Penigne of Dijon , of Mans , of Ncvers , & . 

Her cleverntss a( spiinin;^ won her a popu 
larity the traces of wl-.ich are still lo be found scatter 
ed about ihe old dcminions cf king Fepin - the - bhcrt 
and of CIiar;eniain in tJie shaj-e of pro^crVs and i- 
dioms . '[bus ihe peasantrv rcnmd Toulouse swear yei 
by the distriff of Queen JY-dauque ; thus , the Italians 
still sR.y prover')iaUv " Nvi e piu il ien-po che I'erta 
filava . " ( It is no longer :he time when I'ertha u>ed 
to spin . ) She is , in sh i-; . tiie popular queen of 
those good old limes whi.n Alfred v.r.Mh'd the cabes 
in England and I]er.ha s])i!n ilax in F'rance . 

This drnma . li!:e '.be poem , bears uiwn the 
substitution of tlie fester -slave . in lieu of the real 
queen , by beribp ' s nrrse , the " nde \-^eille " Mar- 
gyste . 1 lie iiuideiit.s hov. ever , h.ivc had to be part- 
ly altered to siiit the ex'gendes of theatrical repre.-;er.- 
tatirn . 1 hive str'ven to respect the cither featu.re of 
the le.cer.d whii ]i cxr-mpiifie- t!;e imponarce and sanc- 
tity gi\en to a vow . in die medieval ages , even 
wheri ex'o'ted by threats nnd violence . In tlie roman- 
ce , Berth..; is made to be the d.ur.dver <■! FV res ■?x(^x 
Blanchefleiir . kirig ni:d c|ceen of bbmgary . I cannot 
be severelv blamed for sui)i:>ressing the fictitious" 'nances 
cf the legend and repiaciig them by the true cnes 
given biv Ivrtcrv . 

As a sc uel to the events cf this drama let 



QUEEX ie':t:ia ;- r//: "o^.v 



it be mentioned that a subsequent legend makes Pope 
Leo I I I be the son ct the serf and false queen ; I'Orn 
and bred in mon.ahteries , he slowly rises to pouiitical 

honors . If the chronicles of the limes are to h<c im- 
plicitly 1 clieved , the son of the stif anointed the sou 
of Bertha when ( a hisioricai fact beyond doubt ) Po- 
pe Leo 1 I I placed the crown of the Roman Empire 
on the head of Charlemain in the year 800 . The cb- 

scorify ihat exisis on ihe private lives of the cele- 
brated men of the medueval ages prevents our con- 
trolling the truth of the assertion . Let us give the 
legend the benefit of the doubt and say wiih the Ita- 
lians : '' Se non e vero e ben trovato " . 



DRAMATIS PERSOM^. 



Pepin tJie Short, l^'mg of Fraace. 

CJiariherfi 
A Heraldt 
SimoTii 
Lothaire, 

LojdSf 



Berthai 

her J^iirse, 

Hilda, 

the Countess, 

Constance^ 

Iscibelj 

Hil^cirdey 

a Gipsy, 



a soldier of I^on. 
Count of Laon. 

a serf. 

^ soldiers of Pepin's 

4 body-guard. 

daughter of Charibert' 

a serf. 

her daughter". 

Simon's wife. 



iters . 



f their daught 
Soldiers , serfs , maids of honor , pagc^ ^ 



QUEEN BERTHA or THE VOW, I 

ACT I. 

SCENE L 

The groiauk of the castle of Charibert. The castle is seen in 
the distance, i 'ouii;^ inaiiiens are engaged in gathering flow- 
ers.otncrj in tuiniug ^wreaths. HILDA, /lZ/^v e/iter NURSE. 

SONG. 

Sisters haste and cull the flowers. 
Twist their stems in frai^rant bo.vers. 
Chase ail cares of mother eirlh. 

Fill the air with joyous mirth. 
May our happy voi<:es blend, 
May our songs for ever send, 

'in one unison of love 
i'rayer and thanks to skies above ! 

NUKSE, 

Let not your joy,in their love-whispered toil 
Delay your hands. Glad tidings do I bring 
T:iat'to ni.nble work will speed yo.ir fingers. 
The loni^-expected herald is at length 
Witliin tiie precincts of von castle-gates. 
Howe'er he tarries not. His kinojly task 
A day's repose forbids ; and wiin his charge 
He must,ere rested,fast his steps retrace. 

FIRST MAi;jEN' 

Is our Bertha then to leave us n nv ^ 

NUKSE. 

Ere the voung sun hath travelled th.-ju^h its course 
IJertha shail have to this long-cherished spot, 
Sent her last kiss,spoken her last farewell. 
She leaves us,a bride and queen. She begins 
To-night thit tedious journey that is to lead her 
Througii Arde ines' woods, unto her future home 
In Cologne's walls. 

Sl^COND.MAIDEX. 

O heart-rending hour .! 
Has it thus steaUhily upon us crept .^. 

HILDA. ' ' - 

Teli us ajiain about the coning pageantry! 
Have allToyai ^erfs been summoned here .-* Say 



2 QUEEN BERTHA or THE VOW* 

How she v.ill pledge her maiden vow anon. 

NUKSF. 

The rumor of the Herald ' s arrival 
Hath beeu widely spread among tiie serfs. 
Aireailv uiany tioci< and cnnvd ihe gates 
'io wiliiess th'e betrothing pageantry _ 

And fervent pr.ivef> wim vovous shouts to mingle* 
Soon wiii our IJcrtha p'lig'itner troth and life 
By proxy , to the Herald that wo )s hei 
For his master. The Count wishing to give 
Great solemnity to this public b.tiuthal 
HaJi summone'd all loyal vassals to attend. 
A kingiy gift , a ring, in the presence of all 
Will bind her to her liege and feudal lord. 
S u'. leave* us then .She is no longer ours. 
A;i those virtues wcselhbhly enjoyed 
'1 ,ij Franks then claim, a higher sphere t'adorilu 

FIRST MAlDiCN 

dreat is the honor rendered unto us ! 

SKCON^:) M AIDKN. 

flut sad , too sad , is the departing hour ! 

Ni'KSi:. 
'I he protection of the queenly escort 
In to Laon's valorous swords vouchsafed 
15nto where Ardenne.N ' woods darken the light. 
King: Pcp:n s guards, there in arms await . 
The Herald then will pledge their solemn faith 
And their true loyalty to the young (2aeen ; 
His mission cndeci thus he fnei will haste 
'Gtinst Lombardy conquering troops to lead. 
Five nights ' encampment and rive days ' long march 
Through Ardennes 'wo.xis await the iWidal train. 
Bcvond the forest, on the ne.\re>t r ><id, 
King Fepin in anxious h.vste advancing 
Wilt meet his escort and wiii greet his bride. 

SCEA'E W . 
EHt^r BT.RTHA . M/p saffu . 

BEKTHA . 

Dear companions of my girlish joys , 
Mv happv lot is to be cast to-day ! 
W'hile tnia hour parts us to meet* no more 
Still hail the honor tliat befalls our house ; 



QUEES' BKRTIIA or THE VO:^ * 

Bless ye thivday that shinclh on Laoh I 

Our feudal lord calls mc lo share his life 

He deigns to woo her whom he might commaa4* 

hiiare 1:1 my joy and glory in my pride 1 

Cherish the Kiug thai twi'cc shaU be my lord I 

{ to a weeping r/iaidtri ) 

<^iia.se far the clouds from such a brilliant Aun ! 

Let not a seltiih tear sadden this glorious day . 

Array thyselve* in garments brighi and gay. 

Despoil me branches of ihcir fairest loaas 

And >et your s nilri be fairer still than them ! 

Haaic yc from he ace ! for swiftly come* the hour 

Wheii I mu«t spc ik the wjrd that makes me queea X 

{Exeu»t maidens.) 

Hilda , tarry ! . . N rse, list yc still a - while I 

My lord, to soothe my future memoric* 

And parting tear, wi^nes some compariioiis 

To follow Beriha from the house of Laon . 

I h-ivc chosen ye , my second mother 

And my foster-'.sister .' Share ye both '^'^ 

The glorious life that smilcth now on mc ! 

All Uuii ye were to Laon 's happy daughter 

To the queen of France be ye ever stiU I 

SCENE III. 
EfUer a gipsy led by the maidens > 9h4 

FIRST MAIUES . 

List to her prophetic voice \ 
Let her eye read in your hand I 

SECOND M AIDES . 

Let us all a-while rejoice 
in the tales of gipsy - land ! 

FIRST MAIDEN . 

Hear ! She boasts to see a - right 

Through liic in, jiic comiiig agcl 

St<-iJND MAIDEN . 

On its darkness casts a light 
Ai^d in the secret book of fate 
bhe can read your rcrv page J 
ukrtha . 
Lei * • try hei tkill ! .1 * 11 join the sport ! Gitey 
Take ye thi.^ hand and let me hear its tale. 
GIPSY . (hokUng BERTHA ' 



4 QUL}:y.ni:RTi:A or hie vow . 

Unio ihcc a .sin is born !. . .G:lli;i's g^ory .... 

And a m(;iher ' s pride ! . . His .:.r:in(!sire 's name . . 

Wtli.mt .i:id-gre,U hi:-' him in deeds!... 

}':-OLn e.ist i«> wc.-.t , from north to south ^ 

iiis liamc .shiU cru.^h our icutui.ic foe ! 

liis .ir:n shdl fell the S.traoen !. . Th '-iinperlal star 

Siiines ironi vast Aila.-itic to Ar.ti'ic shares !... 

A higher fame thiii Gallii's ([ueen is ihine. . . 

Thou an ([ueen iJenh <. mother of Charlemain ! 

And yet . . . a slave... the lovest of the low... '■ 

Sorrow . . dark . . deep . . cold . . )iunger . .toil . . 

NURSE . ( ,r/>ar/ ) 
Bertha a. slave ! 

BERTHA , ( laUi!;Jiini^ . ) 
Truly, my g -od wcmiin, 
Thou readest well the bx/K of our iurumes : *■ 

Lut you must mind and read the proper page! 

NUKSK . 
Worthy gipsv, study my daughter's hand 
And let me IcnoiV what f ue l.s hers . 

Gii'.^r . [^holdlii^ wiVAiX' s hnnd .) 

Sunshine . ; ' 
A valiant, noble warrior. . . ye star.s ! . . a crown ? 
'i hou shalt be (jueen ! ! ! 

NL'ios:-: . ( <7part . ) 

Hildi , my child , a queen ? 

That pige w.is mine , you turned the sheet too lat€ * 

( Exit ) 
fil;- T MATDEN" . {:ro?iiL,i//y . ) 
List to ber pri>pheiic voice ! 
Her eve boldly reads your hind . 

si':o')xn mai!)En( //V -M/z'/t,' , ) 
Wc can ne'er, too m.ich rejjice . -. 
Ill ilic tiles of gyp-y-iand ! 

FlK>T .M\i:)i-N . 
IIm;-'. Sie b ).LSts to see a-riglit 
Th:- iuiih the mystic coming age! 

s[-:r. rsf) maidex . 
She m.ikes dirknessout of light 
Iju: in the. secret book of fate . -.^-^ .. .• ^,j , - ...^ 
She wiH-reid another 's page !. 'il'I^^'rh'j'iv ai«. 
Exctint piir^nhi:^ Gifsv... ) .- . -^ - 



QU!CI:jv lU'lRTH : or THE VOW . 

QinH'u ?. 'iioiher .dii'st ih »u Ikmi : w.i.a c.ai she mean? 
Ca.i 1 believe her . . '.r mLisi 1 distrust . . . 

NLiusi; . {'.ns^ ir.d .:iui Jacssing HIL- 
I ) \. to her heart . ) 

Yes , she Wis rig i. ... I see it all' .. . Hilda, 
Ji' thou ch K),est , Iieed not the .i^vp'sy . . . bnt trust 
Thy mother's jt-ai >js a:id ainbi;i <us' heart !. . 
li woni.m 's will h is p nver f.^r tnighi: o.i earth 
Th It uttered proph.-.'y sh dl be fultiJled ! .. . 
I'll make it tr.ie .' . . wheu. . where . . 1 know not yet 
IJut it sh ill be !. . Plans rush up )n my br.iin 
Question me not . . (io I ihii-k ol departure., 
1 must be alone . . yea I Thou sh.ilt be queen ! ! ! 

HILDA. (A>//) 

Th It look, those words., th it i>ro;)hetic au«^ur . . 
My tr.mblintj heart falis to conceive and trust. 
1 tear ;ui utiknown harm, foresee no coming joy. 
liut it t'were true . . . Clod help me through my fate • 

(/r.r//) 

^'fft"- «;' T.nTKRS, v\ svLs . '///sEKFs or Laofi 
(omi'ig by degrees from evsry- side . 

soi.Dir.i; . 
1 .3 he. e they meet . 

sF.itr . 
Art sure ? 

VASSAL . 

1 h >ld it 
From the very li;\s of t!ie va ivnt knight 
U.ir great kiiig sends to fetch his bride* 
SOLHIKR . 

We all 

Hive s'en h.m as he re-^'ed in our camp 
On Ivs way hither : and 'tis thus we staricd 
To see the glorious sight ! 

T'is a fine day for Laon J 

sor/)iK't . 
Chr.rlbert h ith been a faiihful vas.sal to his king, 
T'iri an honor ih it he deserveth well . 

VASSAL . 

Hash ! ihj processio i cones I Ba:k ! Cieir a space! 



6 ^(7^^.v jr:::TH.i ../ yiiz vow . 

Et/jr c'iVRiiniriT , ^z.// ///• cyS"E^^ of lvox whith their 
<^uiU . Si-ie/Uct t y ^ ihe H :it\L > iiJ his rctiniie \ later y BER- 
y r - ani ki^r M .. s , ili:.r)A , NJ-f.rc , T/iiEi^ . 

CRDWD ( srJjting ) 
i^uag live our noble Couni ! 

CUMUiiExr . {i3 the ik'ivlo ettters .) 
This valKiiit knight, 
S )Hier.s and serfs, is sent us by t'le '<ing. 

Ci<jvViJ {s.iliHin^ ) 
L y.\% live ih-2 king ! 

C'lARinr.RT . 
Li ^t all wiih j>y lh\ine[iillel :mor 
W"..n whicti I'n'/ king re^j lys my 1 »y.il life 
ij-L , 1 sirvel liin wall; with b*').)!', with iie.irt and hand 
Mis t.uh..r too an 1 Fr.mce as l')viagiy . 
F );• f »i- V veii-.s t'nis arm dealt m-rtai' blows 
l.) .>11 her enemies . . .The S.ir xens 
r -It weil i>.e wei<iht of Lum's b.itte-axe 
VVnen P>ntiers' plains ran red wiih Moorish blood 
As on their broken ranks I struggled through, 
VViih MarlCi's gl )ri ous banner by my side 1 
In [h iringia , in Bavaria , aloag 'ihe Rhiiie , 
1 he suuaiv Sr.Kons loo have learnt to fear my sword I 
Ikit when 'old age and wounds and grief combined 
Weakened mv arm and dimmed mv sight 
T 1 V nn.icr m^a 1 sally left the ht-ld . 
leaia -v »a!d n »l sje m'- white-haired valor 
L o.'de I b.' yoi;.'afal kiiights : he vassilel me 
T ) h's own' c.-owa , a id tr > a tint glorious dav 
Ta- J 'unts of Laon the king alone obey ! ( Cheers . ) 
A stid higher revard awaits me ; our king j >in.s 
d he blood of Laon to the blood of France ! ( Cheers . ) 

CK')Wi) , 
L-yng live ;hc king ! L>ng live the Count of Laon ! 

M;::R\Ln . ( to RKRrHv entering) 
Noble mxilea . wh )se gentle beauteous charms'^, 
Far spreau bv f.^me but fairer still to view 
Have touched' my mighty lord ... dei^n kindly smile 
,A sweet consent to the suit , he humblv 
Ihn-ugh vv.- iips doth proffer, ddiy h u'.d he begs 
Hjpin^ vhy'lieari by tender lovc to win 1 



QUEEy BERTH A or THE VOW . 

B :rt lA . 
Knight , my trembli i ._2; lips can scared v utter 
'iiiose words you seek . Hear in mv faltering tones, 
Ke;id in my blushes, what faiw my' lips would tell ; 
it graieful 'joy and loving heart cuuld speak 
Then -.vcrc I his ! 

HERALD . ( '■di'hilst two pa^es advance and pre- 
sent jcweLs kneeling . ) 
Liidy , receive these Humble offerings 
The jewels bearing the arms ol Gain a 
Sign ,irid pledge of your new queenly rank . 

{takes a rin<r fro n his Ji.i^.-r a'uf puts it on ber- 
iMvV, whilst ///^"countess <rr'A/ nurse array hu- -uith 
iiLc croun , cJiaiu ai.a (kIi . ) 

This ring , .he king's own si^^/.et , bin.ls vou now to him . 
iaas, on my knee.-, must I n )W do tlicc h :>ma<^e 
B^^iina, king Tcpin's bride ai.d Gallia s queen T 

( Rown . 
L )ug may her smile brighien tl^e pr.th of France ! 

I^l-.KlilA . 

Fa/iur , I wouM thiit Hilda a^d my nurse 
iruii-uwca my steps . 

LIlAKir.ERT . 



I grant your mild request : 
Avih do M.ore . 1 hit i ' 



They go with yod . I \\\\\ do u^ore . 1 hit serf 
\\ h.')m once y(vjr praters did save tVoiu mortal doom 
iJuuer yon casde-gaits, Tybers I give ;!ife too . 
A laiihiul squire , it grati'tuce Le eanliiv. 

BERTH A . 

M )st kind fatlicr ! I d u-ed n n h rp-2 as much ! 

CHAKIBEKT . 

Tylers , advance ! '1 hoii art no lopger ndue . 
u'i. lin. king's signet swear fic'eliiy""! 

- TYBERS . ( k.u:c/ing end toi.ching the ring on 
BERTH A 'i- hand . ) o ^ * 

In peace or war , my life will shield h.er own ' 

CHAKIBERT . 

Accursed is perjury on eardi nnd heiiven ! 

-^J-^^y^^^- {<tistrilyjtting pn-esents to 
the maidens from a cas/cct a page has brought her . 
iJear sisters mine, these simple trinkets keep 
in memory of our early h.-r)p\- davs . 
WLiwii \cu wear them .'the i'mr.ge of Bertha 



8 O'j'ULX BERTHA or THE VOW , 

Will stind bv yOLi and wliisper in your ear , 
jicr LCi.der i.'jvc .lud her most vivid thoughts. 

( to the cfO'iUd . ) 
Ye ill ends all , whose kind loving presence 
i' mches my heirt in iis most .-.ecrei strings 
join me in prayer and bless me in your hearts. 
{All huf'd or hci their s-or.L; , ii.::an.\ uLnu stand- 
,r . ) Faihcr ot ail , Thou almighty Will 

"" That for our g )'-i direcicth aa uur lives 

S uile u,j>on Thy d lugiiier as siie prays to Thee . 

/Give to her a >vise and willing spirit 
To ''•uide her thr mgh iier ae.v aad sei'l ous pith. 
Give her th.it p )\ver \o ple.ise , iiiu Wiu 
To her , the heart ot Fepin bind . 
Give health and lite and stre.igih to aU she loves ! 
Iho^e she leaves , she trusts unto Thy care . 
She knows, I'h )U wilt no maiden's prayer' forsake . 
T) hi n she weds, give p).ver and strength . 
So;id viciorv unto hi-, vui.iiii arm ! 
Th u soon he nviy , in pe ic- .uU plenty, reign 
Wiiii Iv-rih fs lov'c and h.ppy France's vows ! 

CUUWI) . 

O Lord ill tleaveu , listeu to ur prayer ! [they arise . ) 

CHAKIBERT .( klSSUlg BEKTilA . ) 

Farewell . mv chill ! . . .a good daughter thou wert , 
l^'-ove ye a.-, goo..l a wife ! 

couxriiss . ( e/n)r,i€i/ig Jwr . ) 
Tni-, parting lour 
Rends my poor hear and chills my tev.^r'd veins ! 
Aiayest ihou lc happy , that ha])py madest mt ! 
( to NURSE layiiii^ Iifr haiut on /ur shoulder . ) 
N\n-:ie . . love her deany . . watch her vvidi care . . 

NUKSE . 

Trust me . . . she'll take th-j place of my own child ! 

( idde . ) 

You liaie think how true tho.-,e words s'uill prove! 

{ 1'. ciirsiv , NUii^E ad \v\a^\ iiel iheiusdves and 
■i'.rcoly djpirt w'th TVai-Liis, thj H::ivr.i) , his retinue and 
i'u soldiers of Laon . The coJXTii.ss supports herself on 
.^AWAV.vwx^ s' shoulders forming a group with the Pages 
:;!iii ^ ( ii'\ y-S 

CROWD . {foluiwing BERTHA . ) 

Long li'/e king i'epin ! Long live queen Bertha ! 



QUEEX BERTHA or THE VOW 



ACT 11 . 

SCENE I . 

The forest of Ardennes . A'i:^ht . The soldiers of Pe- 
pin are jiniSfiiHi^ the prjj:^.i,\uijns for the nii^iii's eneamp- 
/ne/U . Kudu lenis are .spread on the 7des. A center one ^ 
larger ccnd more tastcfiu . iU':ai:1\. , .NjiisK and liii^DA a// 
i'lree veded ^ are seen to e-ner it . Camp fi/e . 

LOTiIAIliE . 

Our second niglit is ihi.s . tiow man}- more 
^re we reach me ro id ag,iin ? 

LOUIS . 

Only three ? 

LOfllAIRli . 

O-dy three ?. . . K>/^ may s ly , o/dy brother , 

iiat thj Oaeen mast ih\nk o /ty a gre.it deal. 

LOU IS . 

' I'ls a hard life for one .-,•) y)ung , for one 
Who never kiiew a d.iy's taiigue . 

LjirLVIKli . 

Ker nurse 
And her maiden bear it as well as she . 

LOUIS . 
r:.> ihe rirst crran.l ot ihe kin I I run . 
I >ft have 'scurre J caitie , to jd and slaves 
iJat ne'er a kingiy bride . 
L'jniAiRi-: . 

I wish -.ve could 
S(.e our charge's face. I h >[jo she's prettv . 
Fjr i cihould naie to .-^cvvq an ugiy .|.ieen . 

LOUIS . 

rhat's you ! . . Perdition for a pretty face ! 

L'.irHMKE . 
Well . I'd rather have an ugly hidy 
Aid a gOi)d c[ueen ! The lady's for the king 
The queen's for nie . 

LO'JIS . 

'i'liere yoa are right , Lothaire ! 
Comrades, good n'gh; ! 

LOldAIRE . 

Good nig'nt ! 



10 nu::Ex bep.tha or the vow . 

SOLDIERS . ( Entering their tents . ) 
GjjJ night ! 

SCENE I I . 

Silencs ani dz^-kness . nj^-SE leaves the royal t'-'^nt ana 
se.'ns to wait fo>' so.-n.-: o-i'. . >ul'^\ 7v itches her frojfi the 
eitraici aii t'leii slo.o y ajp o.^chcs her . 

HILIJA . 

Wily so wakeful , m-Hii-r ? . . Way tarry so? 
T:ie camp's asleep . , aad .ve must jouriiey yet . . 

NIJKSE . 

Ljave me , Hilda ; dismrb me not . 

HILDA . MuLher , 

Th lu concealest somethins^ fnim thv dauLjhter . . . 

NUKsiC . ( ciressi/ij:^ her a^i niring'y . ) 
<) mv beautiful child ! H }\v well a crowa 
W )uld suit thy bro.v ! . ■ fruiy , ihou must be queen ! 

HILDA . 

A IS ! ihe dreim's too fair to hp a truth . 

NURS!-: .( wit// a i te- frii-uii look . ) 
Trust m: , daughter . . 1 ne'er ii ivo failed thee yet . • 
Tae gipsy truly said . ,' Tho i shalt be queen ! " 

HILDA . 

U.t hj.v? 

NURSE . 
This nighr may lift thee to a throne . 
Hilda'. 
This night ? . . What mem you ?. . . 
NUKsk . 

Anv.ver me , Hilda , 
W ).ildst: thou enjoy a regii life . . a crown . . . 
y n- lord , a vaiia'at pr:u:e . . . for court . a host 
U^ kuights and m lidens tremoiing at thy look. 
Wo ildai ih ju be queen , queen of the Franks, of Neustria ? 

Hilda . 
The wife of Pepin ! . . Mother , why picture 
Taese scenes ihat ne'er can be ? What canst thou mean ? 
l>j;\ha is his bride , and three days . . 

NURSE . 
. . ^ Bertha 

:s .ns bride ; full well . She's not vet . . . his queen, 
.i..-la, what righ. , .vaat sacred right ha^ she 



(2(J':EX 3ERTHA or THE VOW . 

To be Ihas honorerl ? . . Beauty, heart and youth 
laoLi .list the s.inie . .:uv , more . , for natu'e proved 
A lavish tricnd lo ihee , whilst to von foster - child 
vSiiedid not even give two feet alike 1 
Again I say , w hy ca.iv. u\ >a not be queen ? 

HILDA . 

Her mother's noble - b.)rn . . . mine is a serf . . . 

_ XoK.^E , 

T.\iis then, the fault is 'u/'i,; mt f^ii'/:.' and yet 
:[isi //-f^.v , lienua's iuag ^ompa licn , 
13ertha-s equai in al! the woriU .i.)ih prize, 
. last //io:i sjffer, because //// birth was io.v, 
Had be to - mjrrj«v LJjriiii's siave ? 



II 



HILDA 
NURSE 



Slave : ! ! 

What else ? 



What art thou but a serf , t^ co n-tlv maid 
By Bertha.s fancy turned ? Wnat slialt ihoj be ? 
A cast - off toy , doomed to neglect and srorn 
i le lesoised o am jered pupoet jl an h >ur : ' 
i inak not thou canst for ever as before 
Divide with her both her pleasure and oain • 
:s>l In the c..art of king l^c,J^:, , my chad ' 
vViU oe tne clnld of an abiiorre-l ra'ce ' 
iiei-Jia viil reap qaeeuiv h )a3:-s and love ; 
i uee, they'll sparn , despise and scora an 1 iau-h at ' 
^1- fitc that crjwns /wr h iris vou froui her side '^ * 
i>ai it ..;ii/t^ IS the fault let the revenge be mine •' 
i nuu shait be qaeen , ihy m odicr tells thee sj] ' 

HILDA , 

What canst thou do to alter fate ? 

XL'KSE . 

.p, . ,. r r Listen : 

I ue soldiers of Laon are no longer h^re 
d'iie Herald too has left us . Peui j's ^niards 
K'vjw not our features . Oar vei'ls forbid 'n 
Vour forms are much alike . . . and in three days 
Waen thou appear'st with jewelled diadem 
fusing thy veil, to meet k^ig Pepin's cr^ze 
W 1) can but cry ''Hail Benha I Hail our^ueen ' 
, r , "^^^^-^ ( • trembling . ) 

Mother . . . Bertha ? . . . "^ ^ 



12 nUEEN 3Er,T:iA or THE VOW . 



NURSE . 

An.i wliea thy lord hath seen 
Thy dazzUng lojk^ by rich array enhanced 
Ramor , he'ii say , his been to thee untair ; 
n'is queen excee'ds tlv„ ueaaiy ti ne h id spread . 

HiL > V .( with incrcassed agitatio'i . ) 
Mather . . .Beriha ? . . . 

NURSE . 

Berilia will not harm thee 
Tybers will sjc she breaihe oa. few m >re wards . . . 

HILDA .( horror slnic/c . ) 
Mother ! ! ! 

NURSE . 

Daughter , (.lid-^L ihou tremole ? 
rilLDA . 

Her death ? 
T'is not her fault if I was bora a serf . . 
S'ae's iuaoccui . . . 

NUK>E . 

Yea . . still. . when she doth die 
Tiien art thou qaeca : 

HILDA . 

U mo; ler , dispel the thoaght ! 
Heaven would ne'er forgivc ^.) vrai a cnnie . 

\Ui<>i-: . 
Wi-echcd follv ! T is i leaven ommands it, 
Sends us the'mean.^ I'acconipli.^'i its ;)uri>)se . 
Hc.irdsr thou the word . thai throngh ilu- gipsy's lips 
lljivvj.i A-hispered a« ? Hark :" Thou shah be queen ! '' 
Aid lo ! airc^nics to help the dcGd . ^■)st ihiuk 
Heaven abandons th vse wh > l-hnd oiicy ? 

HILDA . ( bdwlldjred . ) 
1. it thjn s)? . . Th'inv3u-.,'d prvjphccy 
Di nates her dooii . . . my p) -r Ber.ha ! yet . . still 
O Ciil hji- u ): . . Leave her hjre . . . 
NURSE . 

Death alone 
Qxx shelter us . 

HILOV . 

Q h -n-id deed ! . . Bat if 
Perchance her parents cnme . . 

NURSE . 

Fear nought .The Count is old , 



q-j':ex j::::t:ia or th2 vow . . 

Far fro.n tliis -vorld liis woiiads will send hi'ii soon . 
ir^i-iiia's moLh::r wo-iid li a^e io:lo\ve-i .ur sicp.-> 
ii.ui :v^e ail 1 liealtb .siiii held ihcir woiiied awav , 
li.ic it sj lie d ly . . . ihey j'HiniLv'J here . . ihink'st ihou 
'I'.iy Wfiiciitui ii.nher c )a.^ hol vVcird ihem ort . . . 
\S^- a sweet t.iie . . -or some stiil swecier . . . draaght'i 
j )jrney.s iheie arc ta.ii iiu'tr rudch tlicir purpose . 
>j.ii aim . . //i(t7/- J juniey wo.iid ... 1 vvdrrdnt ye 
i'.icy'd soon mec;. iieruia . 

HIL;JA .( cl^ha-/ . ) 

O :io/ior ! 1 ! iiiother ! 

NURSK . 

An th)u my cliill aud irenule .-^ Shame oa diee ! 
I'hou aidSL will I ly ae v loi , i ([ueenly heart possess. 
Cj ) .) Jiy te.it uii sleej a.v.iy t ly fear's. 

Ij.iil HILDA . NORSE , lUUiC/ieS tJu Ccl.JlJ) , 

SJ/L^/C III. 
Eaieri Ti'iJiiRs JJij s i iie . 

Who's there.''. .A.\ ti >a I'yuers ? 

Ti'iiiiKS . 

Yes , nurse t'is he , 

XLTRSE . 

H i>t diou th-u thought tli m caast achieve the deed .^ 
J inA ihee tra.y . . on; )d ai.si liow . . a uie 
U -part . . . Hast thoa couraije ? 

TvBEa.-i . 

Why do you ask ? 
I were no soldier if blood trighieaea me .' 

NUKSli . 

13 J sides . oae single bi) v . . 

Tl'lJiiRS . 

I'rust me for lint ! 
Give me the money and leave me the deed . 
!>a ;.v me the vicu n ! 

NUKSE .{j(hrin<r hi.')i a purse . ) 
Ihi^ i> I he moiiey 
And there sleeps the vhjd n . {S-ie lifi^ tJie drapery of 
i 'J tent revealing UKRiaiA asleep . ) 

TVBiiRs .( horror -strzick . ) 

l'riace.,s Bvrtha .! . . . 
WiUi ; art thou mad 1 



14 C2C7EE.V Br:rrHA or riiz VJ'.V . 

NURSE . ( lookufi^ fixedJy at him . ) 
No , buL am anibiti as . . 
And a mother. . . and love my own child be.- 1 . . . 
You gucbS my p,u-pos- . . .Meihinks , 1 see Uiee wince? 
Wliere's the 'ciarage that so reckless proved ? 

I last iOit it already .^ 

Ti'BER.S . 

i fear not the deed. . . 
U it the risk ! 

NURSE . 
Risk ! i^ro.n wli-^nce can it arise ? 
tlc^r sleep is soiad . r or such , i dru.4^;ed her cap . 
'1\> mc rippling lorrent Wv.- i.itely cr.j-..soJ 
I^.-'ir ncr iij^ai. lorm . . . o.ie oio^v . . lis waters :h-^n 
W 11 ii ) the rcsi . . . and keep die secret too . . . 
No wiu.e.^s to ihe dee. i , . . a. id my daughter, 
Kj leen bv voar hind . will noi f irgei yoar aid . . 
i^'ower ind'g.fio will fiow Iro'n graiefui hearts.. 
Yon m IV be tree . . squire . . iioi)le . . n.axca- . . 
i era 10-^'. . JiL^^'^e?' . . it ihna art aviOitious ! 
'i le k\a: . . might //i'e . and liie queen be grateful ! 
Is gold more i'*'ihoe mm glory? Hold Uien -{^^un^ig 
hi^i a purse , ) I'he ([ leen shall treble ail ! 

TVIJEK.^ . 

Nj more , his settled . 
( //j L):u^r^ 'iil:> 'vizjr and enters iJie tut w':ust the 
Nu'asE lift^ the d. apery ; tie carries of hertha asleep and 
diiOp.ars in the fored heh nd the tents . ) 

xuii.sE . ( p.dling a da^^cr out of her 
deejs.) 

\\ I r^t ihou refused , , thy life would have bee i s'lo-t . 
'i'lii-, ic life had iouiid my heart ere thou had's>. .ime tofear. 

SCLNE I V . 

A dense pvt of iUe forest A stream aud torrent . 
Eater r.".;i-:R. threiiin^ his iv y t>irouj:;h t'le roc'cs with 
p. :.u';i\ aslejp in his arms . sie lays her down, and takes 
ids ha.tchet . 

TVilERS . 

'TU pitv thri.di, to e;i>l diy life s:) Roon . 

II ) V s.veet iur -.mie , niOLhiuks she drea ns of ho.iie , • 
■ i\a a cruel t i,e that s^ops s) fa r a-|drea n . . 

'lais wretched task fain .vou.i I abandon . . 



QUREX 3ERTHA or THE VOW . 15 

Yet I must Oil . To ) late it is to think ... 
H lO ! As guileicss m.i ly o:ie kills in war . . 

li c.ir.i^ .( auuikiiij^ ) 
H )W cold to-ai,^ht ! . A drem ? . . Wiiere an I? 

rv;5EKs ( MLth upllfud h.itchet . ) 
Prepare thyself tor deaih ! 

BS.<rd\ . ( rising ) 

Help . ! Murder ! ! Nurse ! ! 
Ti'ii;-:;<s . ( hilii.tr her ,'?/ the arm . ) 
Toy cries are vain ; no in jnal sjjiid can here 
Tjucli a morial ear . 

O oiercy ! Pity 
My youLig life . . . Wiiat hannhave 1 e'er done thee? 

T/ {.iRS . 

N ) ie . rhy cri ne lies io Lay p uh . It crosses 
i iie pata of might ! 

BblRTIA . 

Kaj^vest thou who I am ? 
The Ljrd of Li")a , my ia hur . . . King Pepin 
Cliims me f >r bri;:!e . . . What enemies can vie 
With such i^i miglu ?. . . Thinkest thou mv ill-late 
Will laavenged reiniin ? rhiak awhile . .'then 
Protect my p iiii . . . esc.orc me back to Laon 
Sa/e me fro n harm . Pardon i promisf* thee 
I'he k'.ag's b >a:ity aod my old pareat'.'i love. 
rVBBRS . 

Tis easy now to promise fair . . . but if 
Tlirough every danger I did rescue thee 
The 1 >ve a Ki 'b )u;)iy so freely w irranted 
Perchaace oiight prove steel-chains and dungeon deep , 
O- yec a s'ljner f ite . . .They'd give me gold 
A. best . . . gold 100 is paid for this . 
BER rn \ . 



Pity ! 
( resignedly ) 



1 YBERS . 

No more , prepare ! 

BERTHA 

If th IS I must now dfe 
Let me prav . . . One single favor will I 
Mv heavenly Lord bestech . Grant it He will ! 
I want to see the man that ran f<.r gold 
Strike such a dastard blow ! {S'l: sufdenly dashes of his 



i6 Qy:J^X 3ERTHA cr THE VOW , 

]idifiet\ he drops her arm 6-" turns away his head ,) 

Tybers ! ! ! Tybers ? ,tis thoiS ? 
. hou canst find heart to strike ia her fair path 
The young daLu;hter of thy lord p-I m ; ; er ? 
Hast thou for;]jot that her hand s'T ' ■•• i Ihee 
When foul de^;eflion had forfeiled iny Jde? 

ler lips they wc.e ibit spoke in mercy's cause ; 
. /er voice it wms m..: raised pity's deep cry ; 
/' ^■\ yon can sirike her yet ? . . . Foul perjury 
...id deep ingi-aliiude go hand in hand ! . . . 
Three days elipscd since thou didst swear a vow 
'linding , solemn , fearful , to die f.)r me 
And mc thou klil'sl? . . Tybers , if I must die 
.\[y last wish hear . To Heaven 1 bequeath 
The cire t'avenge me ! By this saci-ed rin:^ 
Thou kaowest well , may the price o£ my blood 
.:,:ke scorching fires forever burn thy hands ! 
Th' unholy gofd thy children shall pursue 
With equal curse . Long v»Tetched sleepless nights 
ohall r.^xk thy brain , while toriuring spirirs 
1 T hissing tones , into thy trembling ears , 
iL^.'iirnall/ shall raise the cry of " liiood " ! 
On thy 'perjured brow, in gore-stained letters 
The w'orld shall read the name of the " Accursed ^^ | 
q'hoa shalt cry for death to end thy misery 
And life shall' be thy lot ... a living curse 
Un perjury , on treason and on blood ! 
My prayer is ended . . . Strike ! 

TYBERS . ( Throwing his hatchet in the strtam 
I cannot ! Live ! 
f/ive but to be wretched .Thy lot is dark . 
' V<ul enemies surround thee . . . seek ihi.' death . . , 

to live thou must be dead to them . My life 
Would pay mv weakness, thine still be forieit . 
Make me a ro'emn vow that ne'er a word 
A sign , a thought , divulge ihy origan . 

ihy life is at this price . 

BERTHA . 

Renounce niy rights ? 
My name , my rank and proud inheritance ? 

TYBERS . 

■ if jj/ou were known to live t'were death to both , 
5wear or 1 strike ! 



quel:: j^.:r:/j or nr:: rjir . 17 

BERTHA . ( a? he Uyts his fit ^<'•r . ) 
s.vear ! 

TVBERS . 

Forget it not ! 
(five me thy coronet , thy chain and girdle . 
\Af errand done , these spoils will help to prove . 
Wander from hence . Cio not on F^epiii's lards 
Dinger urks around ni n ! {As fie goes^ /u tur.ts round 
1-;-* sees Bertha i nnovahle w:tk horr'ot . He unfastens his 
Calk , throws it on her shoulders &* rasfus away . ber- 
tha folioivs him wiih her eyes , falls on h^r ktuei , 
c'.isps her hands (2r» faints . The moon rises . ) 

SCENE V . 

rhe c-.vhp as in Scene I . Night . NURSE is at the royal 
t'lt , awaiting anxiously . Enter TVBERii rapidiy , 

NUltSii . 
Well ? 

TVBERS . 

'Tis done ! Nol.ly she proved herself 
The vaiicUU daugiiier of .j. vaii.iut race. 
Till strength K.iitd her, she struggled h r her life. 
'I'hinking to disarm mc , she mre .v iny hate \--tl 
I . the stream . . . She little thought I'had a uag<'-er . , • 
i' i.i.ks to it , she s'K)u followed my hatchet *^ 

i : ttie noisy toiieni ! 

NURSE . 

How can you prove 
Th'accomplished deed ? 

TYBERS . 

This chain and coronet , 
:.tr girdle too I bring . 

NURoE . 

And the king'^ s'.jnet .'* 

TYBliRS . ( di!:iiu\> d { 

The ring ? . . I could noi lake it , . . 

NO USE . 

'Tis p'tv . ^ ^ 
{>it we must act . R<"'h-e nnd so.)n wcM siiiitk 
V n- help. Pursue iiu, -..ty l^ifoi.-.ting ij che oppo: lie side 
J ■■) / whence he c:i-n,^ . 

■'.•ViiidRs . 

i ovW iuy pdii. . 



t8 QlEE^: 5LRTHA cs TIIE VOW . 

( TJi^y aU r.ippii^ir . S:!e;icc . Sdllm'y , hil'JA , imvdlea 
no caring BerfluVs jewels , rushes on the stage , folloiued by 
X J RsE , both shrieking . 

NURSE . HILDA . 

Help ! Help ! Mercy ! S.op ihein ! Soldiers ! Help ! Help ! 

NtjiisK . ( falling faint i . the middle of th^ 
s^age that is ra.pidly filling ■oidi .soldiers . ) 
.rly daughter ! Save my daug;hLer I 

iiiLUA . ( supporting her . ) 

Hilda ! my sister ! 



no; \v!'!i ner 



They're esc.ipi 

tybeHs . 

This way , men I Come ! 
I see them ! Haste ! No quarter ! Death t'> them ! 

SOLDIERS . {following him . ) 
Revenge ! Dealii : Coai.adcj , quick to tli.- iescue ! 

( Exeunt . A puu^e . ) 
HILDA . ( bending over her . ) 
Mother , they are gone ! 

NURSE . ( rise's slowly ; looks round 
a'lciouslv ^i then sciz.^s htlda'^ head in her hands &* 
draws hersdf at her full height , whispering : 
My daughter ^ thou art queen ! ! ! 



AQT E ! I . 



SCENE I . 

A public road on thi lioiits of the forest of Ardennes . 
On one side , a cottage . Enter from it si^/iox , with au 

axe , CONSTANCE , HILGARDE (Sr^lSABEL . 
SIMON . 

Lasses tarry not ! 

CONSTANCE . 

Ear!) we xuust return . 

SLMON . 

If we are late the soldiers and the crowd 
May be so dense as to prevent oi^r passing . 



QUEEN Bi:RrilA or THE VOW , 19 

HTLGATIDE . 

Tor ail the world 1 would not miss the sight ! 

ISABEL . 

No more v;ould I . I never saw the king . 

HILG.VRDE . 

Bertha I yish to see especially . 

cosisTAKCE . ( closing the. door . ) 
Let us make haste ! Sooner gone , sooner come I 
SOXG . 
The cock sings out th ^approach of day , 
The lark is up , the sparrow's g:iy 
The merry woodman plies his way 
Nature's all life and night's n^v^v . 
( T/i^y slowly disappr'ar in the forest . ) 

SCENE II. 

Eftter BERTHA //'0//t an elevation in the forest 
'zvlih faltering steps dr" haggard looks . Her hair is 

j^ri'jn . /?,♦;' dres< is soildl *jr* torn , cr*jvi^ /x ivi apt in 
Tybers'' cloak . S'le pauses ■>* rests on a tree at the 
£dgd of the height . 

BERTHA . 

When will this forest cad 'i . . This is a road 
Methiiiks I . . Do I see right r* . . Is that a hut ? 
The welcome s^'^n of banyan life at last !( Descends) 
^Tis not too so>n . . . fiu-thcr ... I could ajt go . 

( She staggers across the stage &^ knocks at the door . 
A wretched wanderer implores yo'ir help ! 
Open , for Heaven's sake ! . . Give me some food I 
Open thy door ! . . I faint for want of resc 
.\nd bread ! . . Open ! ( Listens ) 

No sDund ! No sis^n of life ! 
iMust I then die ? Is my doom i,eaied ai last i . . 
For two whole days and nights did I wildlv wander 
1:1 yon dease woods ... no sound of huin.iu voice 
No trace f)t human steps , . . rluiigcr , fatigue , 
Assailed me boui . . i struggled on . . . at last 
A shelter here I ! ! ( Ttif; to open ) 

Cruel derisive ivape I 
'["his cottage , my last ione chance , is empty ! I ! 
Fate , 1 thank thee I ! !'i hou canst do no more ': ' 
The worst is come \ Now , 1 mu.->r pray for death , , 
Why sho.uId I pray ? To whom .^ is there ^ God ? 



20 QuFlEN BERTHA or THE VOW . 

An A-"nightv Rei^g r.l! jist and powerful? 

s^\\& i a:?. iaLcd mus . . . O wrcicheU girl ! 

What thoughts are these 'i My mind denies its Lord ! 

1.^ then nvv reisoa failing ? ( '/// rjifcatina; a fjw steps 

^h3 touches a ire^ ; she rushes forward . ) 

Strike me not ! ( She stagers 
falls on her kn es ^ buries her face in her hanus . ) 
'jiclp ! rily ! iHcrcy ! < A pause ; she lifis her head . ) 

Was he there ? What sound 
S;ruck my ear? 'Twere too merciful to die . . . 
I am alone . . . alone with misery . . , 

And m\ own wretcheduess ! . . Shame on those 
Who brought me thus ! Who can tliey be y Pepin "^ 
The man said " Beware I danger lurks on Pepin's lands" 
liat whv ? Heavens 1 1 ! Has he another love ? 
X'/ny seek me then y ' T-.s perhaps this woman 
^./ho jeilous proves. . . and thus her rival kills? 
Who e'er they be ... 'us cruel . . . cruel . . shame ! 
.dy poor head . . . my eyes fail me ! ( Lavsdoun . ) 

O mother I 
i i iw sweet tliy songs . . . ihey chase bad dreams away, 
S^veei sisiers . . . h )W fair your smiles . . . look on me 
As 1 slu Tiber... I feel so safe anil you all. . 
Kiss me , mother . . dear friends . . . go nl night » 

( Faints . ) 

SCENE! II. 

The song of the peasants is heard in the distance . 
Enter Constance, simon , hilgarde ^ Isabel ivith 
branches &^ faggots . 

CONSTANCE . 

We've harried well . No crowd appears as yet . 

HILGAKHE . 

'Tis better so , we'll see th<m all arrive . 

siMos .( f///-v/A/o/.''- against bektha . ) 
What's h. re > A woman 'i Wife ! 

cuNbTANCi-: . ( T/iey all throw their bun- 
dles down ^ rush to hektha . ) 1 fear she's dead I 

HTLGAR11E . 

How pale and sad ! _ ; 

CUN'STANCE . ( K^eelinr ^ 'iuppnrtina^ her 
head . ) Hush ! yet meihinks she breathes . 

Give me your il-sk,maii; lapses, chalt iivr liaads . 



quee:.- iJErrrJiA or the vorv . 21 

HILGARDE . 

i telt her move I 

ISABEL . 

She lives I Her pulse revives ! 

CONSTANCE . 

Her breath returns ; poor child ! How worn she looks ! 

HILGARDE . 

Murmuring sounds I hear . 

ISABEL . 

I'.lethinks she speaks I 

BEiiTHA . ( shuddering wi4h eyes dosed . ) 
What have I done to you ? 

CONSTANCE . 

Her mind's astray ! 

HILGARDE . 

She trembles like a leaf ! 

BERTiiA . ( asleep . ) 

Spare my life ! Help ! ( She 
wakes up (2r* looks round . Seeing the figures bending 
fver her . she rises in a fright &^ staggers from Ofte 
to the other . 

"tviii me- not ! Spare me ! Do not strike ! They all 
Have sworn my death ! {She falls in the j-dddle of 
xh'. stage . Constance . ( lifting her up . ) 

Be calm , child ; w- are friends ; 
You may trust us ; we will not harm thee . 

BERTHA . 

Friends ? 
1 have none more ! 

SIMON . 

So 3'oung and yet friendless? 

HILGARDE . 

No mother ? 

BliRTHA . 

M'^ther , friends and father . . , all . . . 
1 have lost all . . . 

CONST -VNCE . 

What is thy name ? 
BERTHA . ( <:huddcring a^ the question . ) 
My name ? 
Y.)U want to kaow whit my name was ... or is ? ;; 
1 have none ... yes . . Bathilda is n/ name . . . 
My father was fmm Aquitaine ... one night . . . 



■■ 2, o:;n-EX BERTHA or THE IVIV , 

Human monsters n-thi-st for blood and gold 
Deprived me ot House , friends , all ! to save my life 
1 wandered on . . . not kno%ving where I went . . . 
I lied for life ! Hunger and deep despair 
With cold comoiaed ... my strength o'ercame . I tell . 
1 dadlv thought ... it was to die . . . 
^ SIMON . 

My poor lass 

You must not think of death . 

CONSTANCE . , , r . J 

You have found frienas| 
Come in here and eat and sleep and rest . 

SIMON . 

Tru€ , we are poor . . . 

CONSTANCE . 

But not so poor as to turn 
Siill ere Iter povertv from our door . Come ! 

{Exeuni hilgarde 6' Isabel supporting bertha 

into the cottage . , , . , . ^ ,, j . 

SIMON . {picking up the wood . ) 

Wife , I have thoo^hi ... 

CONSTANCE . ( helping him . ) 
Soon the lasses leave us 
For their husbands . . . 

SIMON . 

And then we arc alone . 
And if this child would stay ... 

CONSTANCE . 

For her , a home ., . 
For us , another child . . . 

SIMON . 

She has no friends 
And may be glad to find some friends in us . 

CONSTANCE . 

ril speak to her . Come help me to the task . 
( Exeunt in the cottage . ) 

SCENE TV- 
Enter sqi-diers 6r» serfs in different groups • 

: ''"••■ FIRST SERF . 

Here is the spot ! *» 

SOLDIER . 

The king is neax . 



QUEEN BERTHA or TiiE VOW . 

■ SERF . 

, , , ,, , . ^ Methinks 

J neard the tramp of horses crossing yon road , 

SOLDIER . 

A fine day this . 

SERF . 

'Tis a fair prophecy ! 



SCENE V, 
nte . Enter 5 



The sains . Enter simon , Constance, hilgarde &* 
3-;A.BEL from the cottage . 

CONSTANCE . ( closing the door . ) 
Come let her sleep ! 

SIMON . 

She'll not regret the sight . 

HILGARDE . 

She's too weak to enjoy it . 

ISABEL . 

She need not know 
She was so near. 

CONSTANCE . 

I'll shut the door with care . ( T^^y 
•mingle with the crowd greeting friends , ) 

SOLDIER . ( looking afar. ) 
1 see the king ! ( « rush . ) 

SEWF . ( shading his eyes . ) 

I strain my eyes tor aou'J-ht . 
SOLDIER . * 

Yon cloud of dust beyond the second road . 

SERF . 

Yes ! Methinks I see a troop of horsemen ! 

CROWD . * * 

Tsi they ! 'Tis they ! 

SOLDIER . 

See you the king's white steed 9 

SERF . 

How they do haste ! 

SOLDIER . 

They'll soon be near this soot ' 

Make way ! They come ! 

CROWD . ( rushing duc.i - ) 

They cone ! They co ne ^ 



t . iii~/:l:^' bertha or the vow . 

SOLDIER . 

They halt ! ( another rush forward . ) 

SERF . 

The king's a-Ughting ! 

SOLDIER . 

He'll walk here ! 

SERF . 

Tvlake way ! Make way ! 

CROWD . ( c!::aring a space . ) 

Make'way I Make way ! 
Long live the king ILong live king Pepin f 

SCENE VI. 

The same . Enter prpin with his retinue . The crowd 
vjiiMi lo.o as he slowly advances , greeting st;!i?"s <2r* 

' xssA.'Ls . During [his'^ by-play which presents an ani- 
. lated sce;ie , BEKTiiA opens the door of. the cottage &^ 
rats against it umwticed ; she is dressed as a peasant . 

BERTHA . 

: ly fever'd brain with torture racks my head ! 

] hear strange soimds . . . The dreaded name of Pepin 

Is ringing in mine ears ! Why 'tis no dream ! 

What crowd is this 'i 1 tremble yet know not why . . , 

.( she advances to the nea7est Soldier . ) 
Kind man , why do they assemnle tlius ! 

SOLDIER . 

King Pepin is cwne ! 

BERTHA . ( Aside . ) 
King Pepin here ! Heaven help me ! 
( Loud : ) 
Let me see him ! One glimpse ! One sit^le glimpse ! 

( Hi /Hikes way for her to see . ) 
Why is he here ! 

SOLDIER . {.impatiently . ) 

T'await his bride's nrrival . 
BERTHA . ( 'uith increased agitation . ) 
His brida ? ( Aside ) 

O Lord I Give me strength ! ( Loud . ) 

Who IS she ? 
SOLDIER . ( vj diking off . ) 
Bertha of Laon . 

BERTHA . ( stunned . ) 
. What foul deed is this ? Surely 



QUEEX IjLHTHA or THE VDIV . 25 

Pepin knows not that T no longer come ? 
O my cruel vow ! How I do burn to claim 
My protector and my king in Pepin ! 
What ghasily suspicion rises'fore me ? 
Is this a subiertuge ? Was the deed done 
By his orders ? . . and is this a reckless trick 
T'avoid detection 'i Ah I you may well wait 
And feign impatience at'the tarrying bride ! 
You know too well vour Rertha ne'er will come ! 
"et cnn I believe such thoughts , such crime concealed 
\\\ such a noble knihgt ? Is that fair face 
.V mere mask ? Tliat noble mien , a garment 
I'o cover the foul nudity of crime t 
'Tis a cruel thought I O vow ! O wretched vow ! 
3r-tter h:id I died unconscious of all 
Than thus witness , m.inacied and dumb 
My own enshrouded fate ! 

CROWD . ( excitement . ) 

Here's the princess ! 
■^'he princess ! Make way I Hail iLoug live Bertha ! 

BERTH A . ( in the foreground , ) 
Are my senses faili'^g ? . . . Bertha coming ? 
Then another assumes my place and name I ! ! 
And that vow binds me to bilence I O wretche'^ vo'v ! 
What would I not give , th'impostor with one true word 
To fell to earth and here unainsk !ier shame ! 

CKOWU .( /novement . ) 
She comes ! She comes I 

SCENE VII. 

The same . Enter hilda 7'eilcd , followed by xitrse , 
t/»;:rs &-' their retinue . Hilda advances toiuards fe- 
riN &-• k net' Is . ^ 

BERTHA . ( pressing en the crowd . ) *^ 
I mast see ! I must see ! 
Tvbers ! ! ! My nurse ! ! ! This is a dream t fearful 
Maddening I O this cann )t be ! I am raving ! 

PEPIN . ( raisins: Hilda . ) 
Arise , fair maiden '. Lift thy veil ; disclose 
Thy lovely features to thy lord and slave I ( ^hilda 
//'?> her veil . ) bektha . 

Hilda ! ! I I see it all ! ( She falls in a dead faint but 
owing to the excitement of the mo'nent ^ nobody notices 



36 Q:/::Ey bert:ia or r:iE 70vv , 

her cry &^ fi^U ■ 

PEPIN . 

B-rtha , my royal signet now return 
Aad in its place take ihou this nng . 
HILDA . {faltering . ) 

'Tis gone ! 

^ PEPIN . 

:,: ' • "!:^What ? My ring ? "- 

"■ '*" NURSE . ( inter ntpiing . ) 

My lord , excuse the boldness 
That prompts aiy words . A foul attack has cost 
].iy lord , a ring , myself , a daughter tair ! 
] Adrennes' woods , one night, when ali in rest 
Were slumbering , a strange fear woke me . 
1 saw bright blades reflecting the moon's light 
Li our d.rrk tent ... I heard a stifled cry . . . 
A struggle . . mv child's vioce . . I cried for help . . 
We rose . . The' camp was under arms . . too late . . 
■!V>o late ,' alas ! My child was lost to me . . . 
And in the tent . . . Hilda and jevcls missing . . . 
{She appears overcome with grtsf , ) 

FEPiN . ...'*: ■•■I 

Poor mother ! a>l shall be tried t'avenge thee 
Aad with severe punishment this outrage 
Sliall be met ! Bertha, this ring ought ne'er iiave left 
Your hand ; 'twas a sacred pledge of solemn vow ! 

{to tiw' peor)U -> taking HILUa'j hand . ) 
Vassals , soldiers and serfs , Ben ha of Laon 
is our royal bride and our lawful wife 
Oueen of Neustria and Oaeen ot all ihe Franks I 

CKOWD . 

Hail ! Hail '. Hail ! 
lotcr live que-a Benha '. Lo!ig may she reign ! 

PEPIN ^ HILDA seat themselves on a rustic thtont 
uii'iera tree ; the CROwo comes in procession , bows Inio 
<i:- kisses their hanh > in this motion , a S¥,K^^ perceives 
\K /<.:.MA on th' ground , 

S""RF . 

Comrade , tarrv ! This ooor lass has fainted ! 

SOLDIF-R . 

The heat and crush . . . What shall we do ? 

SERF . 

Lift her 



quel:: 3ERt::a cv the vow . ^^ 

Jn yonder hut ! This crowd niight trample her . 

I TfU piocession- continues ii.idisturbeJ as they carry 
i; • KTHA in the hut . A billet of Moorish girls ^ jug- 
glers tnay be here introduced . 



AGT!V. 



An interval of four years . 

SCENE I . 

A hall in the palace of king Fepin at Cologne . HILDA 
Bo recti/ ung on a couch ; her maids <5r*PAGEs are fan- 
..'igher. 

SONG . 
Calm , O sleep , the s\iffering brain^ 
And bring sweet Rest among thy train . 
The bnghiesi rays of sunny light 
Are dimmed and far from sight . 
All IS still and courts that rest 
With which we pray we may be blest . 
Send your power strong :ind deep 
And happy dreams attend our sleep . 
HILDA. ( rising excitedly . ) 
Cease thy soothing' lull-song I 1 caunoi sleep ! 
Leave me to thjag.rt ! forbid m.y gi;ards to give 
A.cess to any here ! I wish to be alone ! 

( Exeunt all . ) 
Tiis crown lavs heavier upon my aching head 
From day to day ! . . . Daring these four long years 
N ) sleep , no rest ! It my wcarv eye-lids ' 

llaconsciois close, wild drei^ns m/ slambers fill ! 
Lcnha , alive , with uplifted dagger 
T rants me aud wounds n-.e , bur ne'er ends my life ! 
When fear wakes me , 1 dread the truthful word 
Tb.at in mv sleep l may have uttered ioud . 
Mv inquiring lOO.vS read my maidens through 
' Se\a-chug iheir hearts and eyes, fearing to find in them 
That one suspicious link that can reveal my guilt ! 
Ojl ! death v/uit mercifui to inch a iife ! 



■2% QiTFEx 3i:RT:r.'. - -:r: vow . 

And yet to die ! To face A'mi^hty Truth 

A living lie I i'o dare pleaa tor mercy 

Who no mercy knejv I No I I will not die ! 

iiut still why \rcmble so ? Wliy cauaot I 

Possess the same undaunted mien my mother shows? 

if four long years have thus so safely passed 

' ris toily stiii lo dread discovery ! 

SCENE If. 

Enter pepin . The same . 

PEPIN . 

How's this , fair queea ? Am I , as nnv serf 
To be turned off by an obedient guard 
Prom your apartments ? Give better orders 
To vour men and mure precise , 1 pray you ! 
Tell' them your king enjoys the privilege 
Allowed your nurse . 

HILDA .( apart . ) 

My king !. . . Always that word ! 

PIPEN . 

Your feelings prav -control with irore success . 

My presence , to you , affords no pleasure , 

You have often led mc to know as much . 

Bat 1 in:,ist you give no proofs to thohc 

Who live around . Suffice you that / know 

How little , in your heart your lo/d h^iii jower . . . 

You ansv/er not ? . . Why by such sullen mood 

Always repel the kindly step 1 proffer ? 

1 came to-d.iv ( fur I ne'ier troubio y;.'ur sight 

Without a. purpose ) welcome ne.vc lo bring . 

News that v/ill brigh.-c-n -your eyes , cheer your heart 

And bring an unknonw smile upon those lips 

I've always seen so sad . 

HILDA . 

I found no joy- 
To gladden them within these wretched walls ! 
PEPIN . 

You took few pains , mad.im ,to conceal that fact ! 
1 did al! to please you . Your .slightest ws'i 
Unspoken was obeyed . What love and wealth 
Could riv:' , hive ail been yours . Still ao kind word 
Ever greeted mine ears . Not c'ea tlie thanks 
A serf would vouch a brute ! At last , 1 see 



QUEEX BERTHA or THE VOW . 29 

No deed of mine can thaw your icy heart . 

With pleading iiopes 1 will court you no more . 

Yju may repel tae lover . . . the master 

You must obey I Hear then my wish 

Ere 1 go chasing with my knights . Two guests 

"^vVill to-m3rro\v , reach these p.ilace-gates 

With a large retinae . 1 wish to give 

My visitors , proper , friendly greeting . 

For a worthy reception order you then 

Seemly preparatioriS . 

HILDA . 

And may not 1 then know 
What guests are these , you deem it good 
Thus to receive ? 

PEPIN . 

Your parents ! ! ! 
( HILDA Starts &> rcnains petrified , — apart . ) 
D") 1 see right i . . . no sigu of joy ? . . . a shudder 
jvlethinks 1 saw instead • • . D les 'e'en s ich news 
Her heart-srings fail to sound i Has she a heart ? 
1 doubt n no\v . What chance have 1 to please 
A mind thus closed to. ail that warms the soul ? 
' fwere beuer to be linked to blocks of ice 
Than pass a 1 fe chained to such a soidless body ! 
( /i/<?«^. ) Madam , I see my unwished-for presence 
I'revents the oui-hurst of j'-our joy . The Ivaat 
Uesides awaits nu . 1 caanot tarry . ( Exit . ) 

SCENE III. 

Enter nurse hutriedly . The same . 

NURSE . ( riidiin^, to HILDA . ) 
1 heard it all I Courage I Danger inspires me ! 

HILDA . 

O mother , let us flee ! (t is still time ! 

NUKSE . 

Banish these fears ! To flee ? What ? Flee 
When courage can save us ? Flee ? and where to ? 
Plight is an avowal ... a rush to death ! 
HILDA . 

What can we do ? VVaere see you safety ? 

NURSE . 
In facing them ! If great the danger is 
' lis alsj shofi . They're bound on pilgrimage 



^ ■ - 

And both their vows forbid a longer rest 
i lau one whuic day , tlie purposea sacred spot 
ilre they dj reach . . . m;»re leisure will ihey have 
Oa their rciuni . . .if ihey return and live 
To see that day . Now , you must feign illness 
Lie down , con'piaia of t:ie ii^ilit , receive Latin 
V/ith whi^per'd tones and in ilie dark . Four years 
Have passed . . . their sight is dim ; under your veil 
Play you their Bertha lo their heart's content ! 

HILDA . 

N-iver , mother , shaii 1 tae boldness have 
To carry out the plan . My knees will tremble 
r -ar , cruel fear , will crush me to the ground 
'-Vhen thtm , I ^te so deeply wrongcu uy as 1 
jviy mind no longer shall control my words 
Faint avowal sh.iU m. aie iips confess i 
NURSE . 

What cowardly th ^ut^.j.-, c.c: these? 

HILDA . ( i4^ ringing her hands . ) 

Thih IS me day 
My tortured minH has pir-tnred in my arcams ! 
Ail is lost ! 1 caniv-- »■ • ^ .m 1 
NURSE . 

You shall ! ! ! 
I shall be near and nerve you to tne task ! 
Your mother's lite . your own depeiids on it . 
1 shall be ihere, you'd look at me , aiid think 
A .vord of y^nirs nay sign your moiher's dooin ! 
( The scene shifts . j 

SCENE IV. 
Tht> cou't^rv roitni Otlo'^ne . serf.s ^r^ so'.oiers ce- 

L''^r Ui a cO ■ IJ.U^ . ;i.£t<r lA . LOJIS . LUi'rfAlKK . SIMON", 

CJ.^JsTANCE . Snne are (innkiag , some dartci'ig . 
SiiKF . 

Here's to the bride ! 

SOLDIER . 

And here's to the bridegr-^om I 

LOUIS . 

Good cider this ! 

LOTH AIRE . 

1 much prefer the Wine ! 

SERF . 



QC/EE.V BERTHA or THE VOW . H 

Cider and wine , 1 toast in both ! 

SOLDIER . 

May they 
Be as happy as our king and queen I 

LOTHAIRE . 

That is not much to wish . 

SERF . 

Why so ? 

SOLDIER . ( BEKTHA wko ispOUriuf 

fo drink , turns rapidly round and listens . )''ns said 
T ley are not h ippy . My comrade here lives 
Within the castle and can say the same . 

SEitF . 

is it so ? 

LOUIS . 

Yes ! The lady mourns her home 
Or, perhaps may have a suilen temper ; 
A id you know what that is , brother , full well . 

SERF . 

i do , brother . My first wife had a tongue , 
Aad wliat a tongue ! 1 vowed that my second 
be dumb ! . . aiid si siie is . . . but 'tis no change 
t or the better . ( iigh.ng . ; 

My first was a good merry lass 
When pleased . . . This one , at best is living clay , 
And when 'tis at ihe worst , insiead of words 
Why , 'tis my earthen pkites that ily about I 
'liuiy , 1 say , quick lips are better ihan quick hands 
For pooi men . Good temj^ers are very scarce , very. 
1 wish 1 had my first again . . . 'twere cheaper . 

LoriiAiKK . ( laughing . ) 
Poor Carolus ! 

BERTHA . 

But how about the queen ? 
LOITIS . 
She has some ?pef she wishes not to tell or show . 
And four long years have failed to bring forgetfulness 
y* IV be she loved some oai;e at home . . . her heart 
Yearns for nothing within these ciiy walls ; 
N Tight seents to 'please her mind , not e'en the king ! 
; . uighi she slecpeih not ; by day she shuns 
Company ; or else her hiful fancy 
For ever restless , will call for music and noise ; 



^2 2UEEN BEr.THA or THE VOW . 

\:A then ngain she'll want silence ; her nurse alone 
Is able to soothe her . 

SERF . i 

She is cold and haughty , 
viethinks . She never comes to see her serfs . 
We scarcely know her face . She never goes 
Beyond the limits of the castle-grounds . 
And \i she does a few steps take , it is_ _ 
Always so closely veiled ! . She never joins 
In ou'- woes or joys as did the queens of old ! 
If Pt )ia had no wife , 'twere just the same for us . 
To s? ve my ?^^ul , this day 1 could not tell 
if she is vellow-h?.ired or black 1 

SOLDIER . 

So 'tis with us . We kave not seen her once 
into the camp, since her arrival here 
t-'our ye.irs ajfo . Always inside the castle 
With her maidi and pages . You could not 
hind tun men in our entire legion 
That could tell you what kind of eyes she's got ! 
King l^epin^s mother usea to bring to us 
Dav' after dav , some soothing salve or tea 
To'paich our'orDken p.acr, or soav^ lermenied drink 
lire wed by her royal hands . She knev/ all oar names 
1 could have chr)pa'd my head oft foi the dear old dame I 
But as for this queen here . . . 

LOUIS . ( L^ugnu;^- . ) 

Noi hvely enough for you ! 

LOTHAIKE . 

To-morrow she'll be livelier ! 

SEKb" . 

Why so? 

LOUIS . 

Tae Count of LW.i and his wife are coming here. 

B£RTilA . siijhn^ a cry ,) 
Coming here? 

SOLDIER . 

Yes . The messenger passed our camp 
Early this morning . Thev cone to-aiorro.v morn 
A.nd leave to-morrow night ; they are on pilgrimage . 

BERTHA . ( aparl . ) 
My father , movherhere ? Oh could 1 once more 
Tress them to this heart and die in that embrace I 



QUEE.X BERTHA or THE VOW . 33 

cruel , cr lel vj v ! . . . Tlyis to bind me 
T) misery with paradise "ni slgnt ! 

They are here . . . here i O most rapturous joy \ 
Yet , — how caa 1 see iheai and not oetray my vow? 
Could 1 an errand liiid , that took me to the castle 'i 
\i , perchance , they see me . . . Have 1 nA sworn 
That ne'er Oy word or deed of aiiue , my secret fate 
Be knovvii I Alas , 1 must not meet them I That blessing 
Is refused to me ! O wiiat a fate si mine I j 

Still th.e truth must out when ihcy see Hilda ! 
And ihei: , . . oh ! then , iht-y'll mourn my deaih ' 

1 see iheir aged tears, biihini^ i hier wiiikkd cheeks 
Their trcnb'iing limbs refusing all support 

Their sh.tttered mind causing disease and death I 
To lose i^iem both when 1 '.vjuM gladly 
Lay down my lite to kiss their tears away ! 
To say ; " Father , mother , 1 am alive and here " 
To kneel before rhem and gather in their loving eyes 
Dazzling rays of celestial bliss ! 

SERF . 

The dancing stops 

I/)THATRR . 

How now ? Already d me : vVhat v/eading's this ? 

DANCER . ( sii//./g on the grass , ) 
The heat is great .We must have rest awhde 
And sjme cicler . 

SERF . 
'Twere pleasint if Bathilde 
Would this pause enliven by some goodly tale 
She can so well relate . 

LOUIS . 

Th ti's right ! Let's have a tale ! 
RRKTHA . {fillinfj; their glasses . ) 
\\'iliing 1 am , but for four years 
Have 1 told all i kiKvw . 

SOL!)lb:R . 

Tell them again . 

BERTHA . 

, Twere dull for you . One single one , methinks 
1 have not said . ' lis a wedding tale too ; 
But a sad one . 

SOLDIER . 

Never mind I We'll have it . 



^ \ Q^^^^y BERTHA jr THE VOW . 

Silence there ! 

LOUIS . 
Peace ! List to Bathilda's tale ! ( They 
all lay round her on the grass ; she sits at the foot of 
a tree . As she begins pepin appeals on the oppasiit 
sid^ ; he kans against a tree unnoticed (Sr» listens , 

SERTHA . 

In Aqaitaine once lived a maiden fair 

With yoath and love and parents hourly blest t, 

Her father , n j'ole . valiant , a kni ght ot oak 

Whom oft the world had praised • Tiie maiden's haod 

Was t'Ou.^'jht by high and low . A Saracen 

\)t kingly mind bo're off the prize . 

A noble 'neraid v/as by him dispatched 

To th'Aquitanian car.tle . Wiih him Bmnelda 

( rjius w.i-s the maiden called ) for ever lett 

. ler father's home for her new lord and land . 

With l'itri;i_^ escort and with a trusted slave 

'•.vhose faiinful life had nursed lier infmt years 

bne went ... A daughter too of this old serf 

She took v/ith her to brighten her new home 

With kind familiar faces, liovv was it 

That ambidon , unscrupabas and mad 

Lit the dark mind, weaponed the oiico-soothirig hand 

With deadly arm , and lire d the sla\'ish spir't 

With hellish plans:-' Was it a gipsy's .sueii 

Ur a whisperia^^ demon , that guided 

That cru-ef deed of poor Braaelda'?; fate ? 

1 cannot say ; but cert2.in Ms, that whea 

iSoyoad High Pyrenees , the bridal tr<iai 

Coiuried their tender ciiargc to the care 

C)i Saracenic escort , and sne lost sight 

<->, V.ti- OAM faiihful loving serfs , OiiC night 

'iVhen all was si ill , and nature veiled her rest 

In darkness deep , a plot , darker than night 

It elf and fr)u:xht with foul and prepense cruelty 

Cat short her days , 

SERF . 

Was Bruneldi murdered ? 
BER L'HA. . ( wltn g.'-oujing excitement , ) 
She saved her life but lost all else besides , 
All that maketh life a b)on ! Better to dj e 
Than live at such a pricQ ! 'twere better far 



QUEEN BERTHA of THE VOW , 35 

The mnrd'rous steel had stopped the warm current 
Qf her young heart ! Better the ponderous axe 
Had dashed her brains in numberless atoms I 
She lived . . . but lived a wreck of her own self . 
A solemn onih , her trembling lips did speak 
Under th'apiirted knife . The dire cowards 
Dared not strike the blow , bat sought to kill 
jVnd vet to let her live . She swore to drop 
Her former self and never breathe a word 
Of "her y )un;r d.-^ys . Tlie presents all the king 
Had seat , ihey took and left her starving , cold 
And dyini:; in the wild depths of Pyrenees . 
Sue courted dc:alh in her lone wretciied.ierii . 
Y-\^ prayed , she wepc , she wandered on by day y 
By night , no rest , no .sleeo , no food , at last 
Her strength failed her , and she laid down to die • 

bEKF . 

Did she then die? 

BERTHA . ( calmer . ) 
No . Heaven sent kind hearts 
To minister to her poor suffering mind . 
She found a home with warm , friendly shelter 
And there she lived ; happy but for the thought 
Of all the past . She sav/ her faithless slave 
13ecked in her regal gems . usurp hei throne 
Her name , her rank , the love of her liege lord • 
ijhe saw it , day by day , for years . . . 

LOTHAIRE . 

Without 
Unmasking the vile deed by one true word ? 

BERTHA . 

Her vow forbad it . 

LOUIS . 

Had she then no redress ? 

BERTHA . 

"MDne the story goes . 1 told you 'twas sad . 

SOLDIER . ( rising . ) 
Well , 'tis a shame ! Poor Brunelda ! 

DANCER . 

Come friends , 
Now let us dance . 

BERTHA . ( perceiving pepin . ) 
The king I 



36 QC'EEy BE2THA or THE VOW . 

CROWD . 

Long live the king \ 
PEPIN . 
Stop not your sports ! My presence is not meant 
"lo spoil a merrv time . 1 like to see 
My people blytiie and happy . 1 was hunting 
And in the spjrt 1 have lost sight of both 
My retinue and home . Methinks I'll rest 
And see your dance till they cati find me out . 
Go then your ways : restrain no joyous noise , 
Or 1 shafi fain a fair yo mg vassal choose 
And start th? dance myself . 

CROWD . ( resuming tits dvici . ) 
Long live the king ! 
PEPLN" . ( nHting ; to siMON showing BER- 
THA . ) k she your child 'i ,,,.,,,:^^, 

SLN50N . 

No , please your Majesty .. 
A poor orphan \v\\^'r\ wi have adopred . 

CONSTANCE . ( curtseyi)ig . ) 
But we all love her , S're ._^as our own child . 

PEPIN . 
1 love to see such kindi-ss reign among you . 

S 1 MON . 

'Tis no kindness . We wjuld not part with her 
For all the world . , 

CONSTANCE . 
She's no burden to us . 
She spins a finer thread th ri e'er w.u seen , 

PEPIN . ( to BERTHA . ) 

Come hither,lass I Whence come you then sweet child? 

BERTHA . 

Frj;n Aquitaine . 

PEPIN . 
And was it there you learnt 
To tell a tale so well :' I I )st no word 
Of it . . . 'twas a sad one . 

BERTHA . 

'Tis a true one . 

PEPIN . 

True or not , the tale is strange . Yet if true 
'Twere stranger still. Why dance you not? 

BERTHA . 



QUEE:\ bertha cr THE VOW. 37 

T, . Mv heart 

Knows joy no more . My soul lives far away . 

PEPJX . 

Poor child : Co:n(? aearcr me . You're very yoano- 
lO kaow what s.idaess is . 1 wish I could ** " 

Bi-iiig back a -iarle on ihat young brow ; Though well 
1' know , yours are lears no power e'er can dry 
Who were your parents:-' Come , tell n;e ; were the'y free 

BEKTHA. ^ 

They were . 

PEPIN . 

And you a serf - How's this ? Their nime 5» 

bektha . 
1 cannot tell . 

PEPIN" . 
How so , i:hi!d ? Speak freely ' f takino' 
her hand.) Forger 1 an "he k,ng _ \apart )^ 

,,ri , . "^y 'ona:-l:).sr rin«- ' ' » 

UHvit can ih:. mean ? Wh^'s she -: T^^ u.'iat d -h \ V^ 
Can this young gid be hukcd r Were her fnend;; UiiJ^ 
And aodaciorsr* tier face belies ihe doubt 
3t wouid betray toe b.seucss of'her blood "l 
Yei still my rin- was stolen . Ha I'-Cali'she be 
i^ertha s foster-sister whon ther nv.urn at home 9" 
( Loud. ) Lass , IS y.ur name H;\ia ^ 

BEKTHA . {'itnth disdrin. ) 

rr-i , , I never boce 

That name ! ^ 

PEPIN . 

Who gave that ring ? 

BEKTilA . ) 

I cannot tell . 

PEPJN" . 

BERTHA. V^'hynot? 

A solemn oath seals my lips . 

I'El'LV . 

Yoii found ft 
In the woods ? Come , fear not ; no word of trn,,^ 
Shall harm you . ' Twas found ? ^ ^^"^s 

BERTHA . 

No. 

PEPIN. 



38 QL'EEX BERTHA or TITE VOyV . 

Who gave it then? 

BERTHA . 

A hand 1 dearly loved oace sent it me . 

Ft: PIN . 
A husband ? A broiher 'i Lover ? Feather ? ( bertha 
shakes her head .yOxd he love you ? 

BEKTHA . 

1 was unknown to hiitt 
•" PEPIN . ( incredulously . ) 

And he gave that ring > 

BEKTHA . 

To ihis day my voice 
Ne'er touched iiis eiu- . 

PEPIN . 

'Tis passing strange . That ring 
Was mine , and it was stolen . Fear thee no harm 
but 1 must know thy uae . 

BEKTHA . 

My vow forbids 
I\Iy saying more ; 1 may luivc said too much ! 

Hunting-horns are heard . ) 
PEi'iN . 
\ hear the hunting-horn , 1 nr.;st away . 
But 1 shall seek you soon . i li'owing in answer. ) 
w ' ' Remember vveil 

That vows like thine can be unbouiui . V\ hen next 
The king ihou see^st , Pepia must kr^ow the truth . 
i-'e.ir nought trom me for any frieiid of thine . .'' 
Till soon , farewell ! and tremble not , sweet maid ! 
] .im no tyrant and may be. a friend . 

{ hntsr ci trrop of huUers . ) 
H til hunters I Well met .lud welcome ! The sport 
1 i>ot but f'j.md its equ.d here 1 Fair bride , 
iMy happy wish I a \.x\x\ wedding , all I ( lixeiwi . ) 

CiU/-,. D . 

L'^ng live our govod king ! Long may he reign » 

SERt' . 

How kind he is ! 

LOUIS . 

How he enjoyed Our sports \ 

SOLDIER , 

He is a good king ! . 

X-OTHAIRE . 



Indeed he is ! So kind I 

LOUIS . 

He always finds a \vord and look for all ! 

SOLDIER . 

Methinks Bathilda got a double share . 

i.OTHAIRE . 

Well 'twai: right ; she loM her tale so well . 

SLMON . ( to BERTHA . ) 

"What are you thiaking of , lass :■' You look sad . * . 

BERTHA .{rousing herself,) 
1 \Vtis ihinkio^ ... a s- quel lo my tale . 
1 faintiv re neaiber . O.ie day, liie ki;)-; 
.-.fet Brunelda and though stie kci^t l.cr vOW 
<' le single \^^'\\ ihey had not siuiea u^ a her 
lijtrayed her secret . 1 forget . . . Let's tlr.uk 
"No ntiore ai^out ic . Pricuds \ surely we ni ;s. 
V / some gay cheers, w^lco-ne our good king ! 
]-.il up y>;ur gjblets and I'll give the toast ! 

CROWD . 
Yes , yes ; a toast ! 

BERTHA . 

Here's to Gallia's noble Lord 
Whose valiant arm , freedom peace and plenty 
(rive unto us 1 The friend oi ah his vassals 
'i ae father of his sens i Long may he reign \ 
Oar loving heir'S lift up a prayer ;6C>a 
'■ ) si^are his life and bless his every oreath ! 
lor i* ranee , for him , for us , long live'ilie king ! 

CROWD . 
Long live the king ! ( The curtain falls . ) 



A0T V. 



SCENE /. 



The ahartmrnt of htlda in the palace atCologne 
The sfa<re is nca^'^v in utter durkress . charibert,//^^ 
COUNTESS , I'EI'IN ^ NUi«E are surrounding HILDA 



-40 Qir^EX DERFHA or TKK VOW . 

fc 'i-t \i-: ^tritchei on a cjiick -y't j?t£ si.fe nf ths sta. 

iiy poor duuhgier 1 To tiad you thus stretched low 
Vvneii for tour 'years 1 thought and prayed and hoped 
'jny he^lLii was fair ! A sad weicorne tor me I 

I'El'IN . 

Uertha'fc conplaint surpasses all my care ! 

1 fear 'lis mental \ some secrtjt sorrow 

ii.ward concealed preys fast up^m her youth'. 

>iew bcvULh , i^aieiy , c^im rest , I have tried aU,\ . 

'i ae deep ■uclanchuiy u-j.-.iii her brow •■ 

iNothing di^pei5 . The ^uid bat's^idd-Mi uews 

C>i your arrival \\t^\\: , since yesitr<luy 

H-Ltn caused . relapse . Scarce the joytul tidings 

H >.d I givcu atjd left . oui siie fainted 

^nd siQCc then she has feca thus ! 

CHAKIB^KT . 

Poor Bertha ! 
HILDA . {^ faintly . ) 

Father ! 

NUiisE , i^sUpping forward . ) 
1 crave forgiveness but 1 fear 
This scene too trying for her tender nerves . 

ir most learned. tcciCiics have siudied iier case j. 
bilence and darkriess their Milvice dictates . 

'1 ;i;>ugh sh'-Ti for parent's .love ,this meeiirjg. has 

1 Kii>>w , lusted beyond the crippled power 
Of her weakened strength . . 

COUNTKSS . 

I'll watch in silence I 

Sh-^' in good hands ; \ iriJ.^ty faithful nusrse 
A second moiher truly . . . su.ch kindness ! 
Lvl's to the banque-.-'iiii ana in good wine 
We'll drink her health ! 

COUXTESS . 

1 cannot leave my child 
S^veet son ; forgive my aged ^'oakness i 
PEhlN . 

Well 

Dj I feel for you . To please your wish 
We'll all remain ! 



QUEEN :ir:i:Ti{A or the. VOIV. 41 

PAG^f brin^ a tabic with Ughts . 

COUXTESS . 

The lighi aad noise , my son 
May injure her ! 

NURSE . ( veiling Hilda . ) 
Fear nought , lady . I'll drop • 
Curtain and veil as well . Noise hurts her not 
'Tis light alone . 

COUNTESS ( to NURSE . ) 

Poor nurse ! I heard your loss ... 
An only daughter ... 

, NURSE ( siif^hing . ) 

Lady ^ for pity's sake 
Re-open not a woiuid 1 srrive to cio^sc . 

COUNTESS . 

I feel for thee . . . trusr me . . . 'tvajt a foul deed I 

( PEPIN advances towirds her ^ leads he?- to 'the 
iaide . nuksk seats herself at the foot of the couch 
after drawing the drapery on the sid-e of th^ table . 

PEF!n\ 

Well , Count , here's your health and welcome ! 

. CHAKtBKKT . 

In wine 
^e'er finer was it drunk ! Your father's health 
We quaffed , methinks ,'ia some of this , <iue day 
isome iweiKy years ago , when we ransackttd 
'! !ie moorish can-ip ! Fine victory . . .tine wine ! 
For two v.'holc days we had been fightiny; on I* 
No food , no rest , no quarter , life for life ! 
Tiie i-ield at last was ours ! Your father slept that night 
Oa thirty standards all wrested from ti«i fc^ I 
*rwas a fair couch ! 

PEPIN . 

W;i»; it that famous day 
When Laon's sole ars";'! d-,fied tea Saracens 
And when his horse was slain, he fell not ! But 
Standing on b.is fallen s^eed , he raised the cry 
"Montjo'ie St-Denis " wn!i one hand fighting 
Whilst thr oihci lifted iIk '• Oriflamme "? 

CHARIiiliRT . 

I think it was lAh , those v/cre glorious days f 
ski has been Igs„ lu ilwughi .-—apart . ) ^ 



42 j:-^Zi.v DE:iriiA or niE vow , 

W: ^?:- h-i I 'vV'iit 1 wreck ->f har oist self ! 
]i v:'c L j u- SI ji'i j-^e^irs ^Yr'>'Tj:ht ail this destructioni 
],!- gay bright Liss , a helpieiss iavdlid ! . 
H^r voice no longer sweet . . . her fingers 
Tiper no ;n )re , u> ba^er softly tojch ! 
Her hair is ihiu x-.i-X hard ; it is no inure • 
The gili-silk.en tissue I loved to smooth . '. . 
Hjr chei:'.: whose softness the peach could envy 
Njw seems so coldly roagh to me . . . The child 
Ivlcm-jiy oiierishes , no longer hves 
' Tv/as a iiiir aream by time sadiy dispelled ! 
CUAKlliKirr. {to PEIMN . ) 

Codld you have seen your i.rdier ui.u .s.-. .;- day ! 
The Moslems flcw from him us uu>,. ir^ n wind I 
Tilt day his prowess won him the surname 
Ot .he '• liiuneror" ; Twis a glorijjs sun -..^ 

Tut proudly set o-i bio-)dy Poitiers fields ! 

COUNTRSS . {apart lookin^^ at nurse . ) 
ro)r sorro.vlai nniier \ Alas ! tn .i u> > li<e me 
ii ist Isot a child and wini more cruel fate ! 

PEPIN . {to CKARIBERT . ) 

Yea ! 1 would ten years ot iny life gladly 
Have given , to witness ihat'all-famed day ! 
» Tis gone ! but war remains ! wrh life 1 hope 
T^ prove yec soil 1 am mv father,s s m ! 

COUNTESS . {Apart— gazing at NtJKSE . ) 
1 1 id 1 been sirivkeii Hke thee , poor woman, 
I should U ive died ! My present l^Leen anguish 
Too truly proves ! What heavenly mercy" , , 
^.'ved me then.' For truly, the cruel wretches 
..■^Vere seeking my child whca they rook hers . . , 
T-Ttha WIS a prize , a r.cn kingly booty 
'■.111 cojLI ;he tempting r.iUsom hnx\g , x slave 
r ild ne'er have i)r)j^^b; . Hi ! what cruel notion 
3n' 'W flashes through ^ny br.i;n?\Vhat if their aim 
IJ > 1 pr.>vel t )3 true ? ^'<\\\ if uoi ta kill me 
Tv.ty had saWi my child w:is safe , concealing 
Her dreadful fare from me ! O 'Tis a folly 
To dream of such deceit ! How could it be? 

CilARlBPlUT . ( to PEPIN ) 

S '1 , mark my words ! The ro igh Pai^an Teutons 
D '.ring your reign , during your children's too 
Will be to you Wii^t the Saracens were 



nUEEX P.E.lTriA .. TJT'T ''DIV . 43 

To us ! Towards them , turn all yonr "hono^hts nnd Heeds I 
1 he K.icaisa c..;ist,tha: a iiurc ihrc-.v oeiween 
'ivVJ miguiv pDWcis , wiii o Uieiu , u^ i*i\::\i^ 
prjve. ill ficUs of Poiu=r* . Coaqjer me i<a.\n^ 
And keep the;n beyond its long-winding stream I 

cauNTK-ss {apart . ) 
Were I ro siy .van rasiao m >a,'li.H' p.«ses!j 
My tonur'd brain I'd raise a wond'nng stnile 
On every tace ! And yet 'tis a frenzy 
1 cann ii conquer I Is s:ie my LJerilia Z 
How CAW i cal rt :ny fears and yet conceal 
Tiieir senseless origin r 

KUKSli . ( to HILDA . ) 

Irust nvc . li'.j \v Tbt 
Is now gone by I Be cheerful ! We conquer ! 

c(>UNr^.^s . ( apart . ) 
3 '^now !! My Bertha's foe; rhougii finely formed 
Were of unequal length : I Oh , could 1 steal 
A:->und her c )ach and uplift unnoticed 
. i.it arapory mat ludcs :ne truiii tron me I 
(Si' s'e-illhilv reaches the foot of the couch &* geti^ 
ih drawn the' drape ty from over hilda'j /^^.' . ) 
An ! 'Tis :v)t mv child! (She -mo- 

If.ntly rem^rve!: ths curtain &-* Ui9,rs the veii off" hil- 
jj\'j- facv . ) ''i'is Hilda !! ! 

( Sh£ sta.'td.i transfixed loiih horror , pointiH^ to HIL- 
DA 7L'ho rusk.s out hy a nh lo^r w.xilst the centre 
{ <i i:. fiuH;^ open hy the atteniinti . NURSE rises Sr* 
CO if rants the cbuNTtcss drfia'ttly . ) 

CHAKtBKKT . ( rising; . ) 

Hilda? 
PELHN . ( the same . ) 

What heard 1 ? 

COUNTESP . ( wrinzin^ her hands . ) 
Benhi 1 Bei.n i : where art thou? 
Give me back my cli.i l 1 ( vVc?/^if ■^oii.-iE . ) 

Where is she Y 
Tell me , what have you d )ne with her ? Alas , 
1 know , stolen, lost ! In inercy v-id me death ! 

PKPINT . 

What sayest tliou ? My wite , the qaeen , not Bertha? 

COUNTESS . 

No I 'tis Hilda ! 



44 Q^^^.^' BERTHA &r THE VOW 

CHARIBERT . 

Hi Id; 'f Her foster-slave ? 
MUKSE . {xvii^ insulting defiance . ) 
Yoa ! ,ti*: Hilda ! 'Tis mv pride , my glory 
That it should so be ! Yes , my child ^your slave 
Is now yojr queen ! Proud woman , bow to me ! 
My dauhgtcr wears a crown and yuors a shroud \ 
ALL . 

Dead ? 

NURSE . 

Yes , dead ! / ordered the deed to make 
JVly child :v. queen ! Ko>wV I did fool ye all I 
J 1st Heaven iiBtsp'red mc 1 'Tams i;e,uly doir- I 
\ did it all, a:ii qaI your vaunted ^uard 
AV th hundred swords ;isleep within, their sheaths 
Wah hundred shields crowded for her defense \ 
i^\A know- yc who deait ihc blow ? That Tyber» 
Whom you swore her faiihful g-uard and squire ! 
lie it WHS ihat bori- her \\\ elecpy trance 
{ Secured by me within her nighiiy cup ) 
T'> her list resting-place , a rapid fall 
Whose gurgling toncat , in its rolling course 
Wrapt *chc iitcless form of your proud Bertha ! 
'Twas night . The camp asleep . On his return 
3 raise<i 'S\^ cry of '' Help " and bokhy chinied 
Jly Kii:la ! They could not find her. . . she wa* 
j/^\\A tlieni all , siren dy queen ! lybers . . . 
li. ! H-.-.v i did fooi him too ! Ambition 
<;aideu his hand . He ih )ughL he cvuld hold us 
I ader the ihrcai of one dark dread secret . 
]-.l.)t r To ihink that 1 could let him live ! 
O.iaffin;: a iroblet he died in a joust 
^'- ne said ihe heat, oihers a too cold drink 
*ilie gipsy too > whose silly words had first 
Aroused my schemes . h.istened to certain death 
Attracted by my golden promises . 
Why you y >urstlve.s , if 1 could have foreseen 
Your visit here , would ne'er have seen the queen 
JSut on the road , 1 should , with certain aim 
Have &:.-nt you to meet your child ! true you can 
Most noble king . rack my body and rend 
My flesh with torturing irons ; you can 
Scatter my limbs to the four winds of earth 



QUEL.y BERTHA or THE VOW , 45 

'Still mv child is queen , still Hilda , O king 
W;il be ihy wife I Be 1 alive or dead 
Hud* must siiil be qaecu I 

CHAKIBERT 

Demon whom Hell 
Disgorged on earth , take thee a father's curse 1 

PEPIN . 

Secure her , guards ! And let the stake bear her 
To buraiaj^ Hell again I Let her daughter 
Be sought alive or dead to join her tate I ( sOLDifeRg 
drag NUKSK o^ . A pan-si . All seem helpless with tie;, 
p'tir . apart . j That y;>u!ig vassal whose secret history 
i vesterday couLi not p;»ssess . . . \^^r pride , 
H'.-r beamy , her sadness . . . that io k siie gave 
Si strange , when I the name of Hilda spoke . . . 
0.1 her finger , my missing ring I ( Loul. )Heaveas ? 
\vaat flash of light in iraih upon me beams i' 
i- ther , rouse ihy soul ! Mother , dry those tears I 
Kj! Bertha's alive and I can find her yet I 

( Exii . ) 
SCENE II. 

Thf same road^ forest as in Act III . simon'j cot- 
tas^e on the side . Rustic tahl: i'r* chain outude . aEft- 
Tii'V , by the door , spinning with the distajf . 

BEKrHA . 
liaste , my J:imi)le fingers, and may y.mr speed 
'; he f'.inv f f wild feartul houghts restrain. 
Kntwine in yon punv thread all my dreams 
Of s;l'>i'y and of pride I My soul remind 
AiKie of those long-c.-erisi^cd hours of yore 
v.- v.n oas'cing in my m>;hvr's love and joy 
3 :-,>un rsvirrouiuled by a bvely court 
Cm merry happy mairis and youths ! Ah ! little 
^jM^pecred 1 . ot all nis e.u ihiy bliss 
T !e shortened threa«l , 1 dv.is wah spinning fast. 
^ivs ! no more .iream I of throne and crown 
Soft whispering angels hear 1 no more 
Calling in my ^sleep for Pepin's bride 
And Gallia's* queen ! Ava int , fairest visions 
T'-o bright for iruih : Dreams having in your suit 
Kcmembrance , regret . revenge , avannt ! 'Your 
Bertha is dead ! { risim^ fir* dashing th€ distaff away ) 
i cannot spin ! My po:)r finders 



46 O'JEEy JE.ITILI 07- THE VOW , 

Refuse to work ! A trembling fever Consumes me ! 

At aie p;ila(jj .ju-ot seemi still to reign . . . 
\sj news at iea.,L has spread abroad as yet . . . 
b.ill, wiien ihcy see Hilda, they cannot fail 
'ij know her treachery ! IV hen they see Hilda ! 
]i/ what excuse c:ni she remain concealed ? 
iVhen tkey xcc Hilda 'i By ano.her cri.ne , 
A double murder , hope they t'avoid detection ? 
Can such things be ? The tiioiight is fearful ! 
Uirribie laud yet their very safety 
Mast urge then to it I What two slaves could do 
\J m well be done w.ih queenly influence ! 
"vi.at can 1 do .,'.!.t wait, wait I Tnis .-.;i^pense 
i>- idlling iBe I O deaven , send me ue.vi 1 

SCENE! JI. 

Eutsr SIMON , ivith u-yine e>*ipty sacks , the same . 

SIMON . 

Mere lass here are the bags ! I'm all upset ! 
Tne most fearful thing has happened at the castle ! 

LiERTHA . ( realising her fears . ) 
Ah ! ! ! the castle ! 

SLMON . ( sittiK.^ quietly . ) 
It's awful ! 

BERTHA . 

P^or God's sake , tell me I 

SIMON - 

Well , well , be quiet , child ! don't be scared ! 
iVe are safe ! Poor {--ilks like us . . . 

BERTLIA 5 {tryl:^^ t.) co^Jrol her feelings . ) 
Gh ! Simon tell me ! 

SIMON . 
'bourse Iwill Bithild^ . I'o'ight to be in the fields 
1> It I'll rest here awhibt and think it all over . 
Yju sje , L tJok the corn round oy the siabies , 
Tuea Wint in^> t'-'vi kitchen for a quiet chat . 
Y/hen all of a saddea . . . Oh , when 1 tiiinkof it 
1 feel quite faint . 1 really must take a drop . 
( d'-inks fro!n his fla^k . ) 

BERTH \ 

Tell me quick ! this suspense is torture ! 

SIMON . 



QUEE.V BERTHA or THE VOIV 47 

One would think 
The life of your dearest friend -.vas at stake , Bathilde 
Thank goodness we have nothing to do with murder 

BERTHA. . 

speak in mercy ! 

smoN . 
Lassie , you're like all 
'x^he womenfolk . You must know all . Well then I say , 
All of a sudden , a shriek , a fearful shriek , 
From tlie queen's room . It made my blood run cold . 
A;id sho>k the very walls .Noise ; and then the qaeea 
Dishes past us with whitened face and 2[liringeyes 
As if flying from some horrid sight . Then . . . 

Bii'.i rii V , ( /// agony - ) 
Tell me the worst at once ! What did you see ? 

SIMOX . 
T le Nurse , yei'i:!^ and s"r:j,(.;ling against fiftv m^n ' 
liiey said she i^iUed some namesake of the qaeeft ^ 

1 .-^aw theiii drag her in tn^ spice b-^ r.v the >:arip 
Scoffing like a demon at tlie stake and burning pile . 
O 'twas horribl" ! 1 wish 1 could forget it ! 

Well , 1 must to the fields . ( rising . ) 

Oh ! what a tale 1 have 
To tell the folks down there I Farewell , Bathilde 
Don't worry , child ! IVe are safe ! All such big storms 
Strike at the oaks and leave the grass alone'; 
It gives pxjr little blades like us a chance to thrive. 
To-night we'll talk it over during supper-time ! 

( Exi^ . ) 

BERTHA . 

They are safe I they are <,Ait '. My father , mother safe ! 
Tilt Wi-etcaad siav'e uu n isv-:: I I li; ever prayer 
Went up to Heaven from a fervent heart 
Arise , my soul , in ()\-erflowi!:g ecstacy 
'xAd boundless gratitude I The wretched path 
My vow condemns me to appears now bright to tread ! 
Still they niQura me dead . This grief must crush them 

SCENE I V . 

E^itcr PKPFX , the same . 
PEPIN . ( asic-fe . ) 
'Tis she! and fortune smiles upon my purpose , 



48 <2UEEy BERTHA or THE VOW 

She is alone ! ( aloud . ) Fair maid . . . 
BERTHA^. ( starting . ) 

King Pepin here I 

PEPIN . 
Nay ; no king for you .A friend ... a father . . . 
And thus I keep my word . 1 seek thee now 
To know that name thou wouldst not utter then. 
Recoil not from me . . . afraid ? I would not 
Harm th«e by thought or deed . Speak 1 Tell me that 
Thou willt not tell to other men . Who art thou \ 

BEKTHA . ( troubled . ) 
1 cannot tell . 

PEPIN . 

Why not ? Does thv real nam« 
Imply danger to seme dear frieud of ihine? 
Him or her, to shield from au^^^ht of evil 
My kin.^ly provnise take . i wili proieci him . 
That n^m« once said 1 wili forget at once . 
Come tell me all . 

BERTHA . 

1 made a vow ! 

PEPIN . 

A vow ? 
A vow can be cancelled . If on thy soul 
It doth sit heavily, I'll to the bishops 
And have them redeem it . What is thy name? 

BERT R A . ( ijuith iner eased troubU . ) 
A broken vow ! The name of G<jd as pledge 
To a deed undone ? On my salvation 
'Twcre an everlasting curse , I cauiioi ! 

PEPirT , 
Listen ! 'Tis no idle wish that prompts me . 
A deed of justice upon that word of thine 
Perhaps depends . Hear ! 1 seek a maiden 
Whom base treason hath robbM of her birth-right . 
1 seek a daughter that a mother lost , 
1 seek a child whom an old father mourns . 
Speak ! Can thy name help my purpose ? 

BERTHA .( who has been listening breathless 
My vow ! 

PEPIN . 

1 seek still more . 1 seelc a wife . a bride 
Who knows not yet her husband misses her . 



QL/EE.y BERTHA or TIfE VOIV . 49 

What's thy name ? 

BfiiiTHA .( with trembliug tears^ ) 

My vow ! 
PEPIN . 

1 seek more still . 
I seek a ring . That ring 1 have now found . 
'Ti3 on thy finger . Speak ! What is thy nam® ? 

BERTHA . ( moaning . ) 
My vow ! 

PEPIN . 

Shall 1 tell this young maiden's name? 
B irtha . Her fatlier's name ? The Count of Laoa . 
Njw speak ! Art ihou Bertha of Laon ? 

BERTiiA . ( wringing her hands . ) 
My vow ! 
PEPIN . 

IC vDwest thou wh xse bride 1 seek ? Mine , my queen? 
licrtha , speak I Art thou n.y wife ? 

BRRTMA . ( /// agony - ) 

My vow ! 

PEPIN . 

I'.aowest thou where ihy mourning parents are? 
1 1 my paLice I Bertha , dry their tears 
With one kin dw3rd ! What is thy nane ? 

BEKTHA . ( writhing on her knees . ) 
Lly vow ! 

PEPIN . 

F )or geatls soul by foolish scruples racked ! 

Tiiy vow? 'Twas broken long ago I when first 

T line eyes met mine ; when first that tale you told \ 

Mv rill,: alone broke \\ a ihjosand times I 

' r's br'iken now by thy Very silence I 

Thou a:-t Berth i of Laon , Before the Lord 
D 'uy it if you dare! . . . Vl y injured wife ! 
M/ own fair bride \ My silent s.itfeing queen ! 
Waen there is ud will there cannot be a vow ! 
A> thy her.)ic s.->al is still by scruples rent 
ril bring thy parents here, thev'U break the vow for 

{Exit. ) thee 

BERTHA . 

Is this a dream ? Is this reality ? If by no deed of mine 
The truthis known , what can 1 do iTio je , I fear thee ! 
jae sadden ch.ia^e liro.n grief to joyful hope 



50 ^i^SEx BEKi-iiA &T :;\irE vow . 

NuTibs my senses , my eyes see;ri blind , 1 cannot think T 

( Kiugluig . ) •' ...:.:*! 

'Tis said the sun doih shine lur ail , Almighty Lord ; 
It did once shine for me . Bright rays of light 
3etm dawning through the cichkIs and bring too vividly 
The pagt before mine eyes 1 1 dread the dazzling sun 
That may not be my own i Haise not my hopes ILeave 

me 
In darkness , unless it be Thy Wiil that sunshine 
Be for me a token of liie returning p.isi ! 

SCENE V, 

Enter hilua , the same . 

HILDA . ( rushing in rfilfd . ) 
In pity's sake , shelter ! 1 am pursue:! ! 
If gold can pay you , conceal me sou;c where , 
Is there no one here ': 

BERTHA .( sternly , risini: . ) 

Hilda , what seek'st thou ? 
Hilda , dost thou want ought of me? 

HILDA . ( horrified . ) 

That name ? 
BERTHA .( with bitter sarcasm . ) 
Is there still ought 1 have thou envjcst yet? 

HILDA . 

Bertha ! ... Is it thy ghost that rises thus 
To stop my path ? ( wilkin.^ <il>tr,zciediy . ) 

Leave me I 1 want to fly ! 
But where ? the guards without wiii Luut .ae down 
Like deer ! My knees bend under me ... 1 fall ... 
Bertha , thou ar: avenged I this is my death ! ( Falling 

BKRTHA . ( scornfully . ) 
What? fearest thou death ? Methinks she who toys 
Wtih fatal Ijlow.s and counts fjr nougat a life 
A braver dauntless mien would best beseem . 
Coward ! Hid 1 thy chicken-hearr possessed 
Fear alone had deili that blow thy hopes inspired . 
The fact 1 live proves me another ulood . 

HILDA . ( crawling on hn' k?t/res . ) 
You live! I I Angels of G.>d be thanked 1 taa,t guilt 
Ls spared me then I Repeat the word . . . Livest thou ? 

BERTHA . 

I do , for vengeance ! 






.^^^■"^ 



QUEEN BERTHA ut THE VOW 51 

HILDA . 
Full avenged ihou art 
By mine own suffering I ( risiuj^ . ) 

Hark I 'tis their tramp ! 
They seek me to kill me I save me ! save me I 
Bertha , save my life I 

BEiiTHA . S 

Saved you mine ? 
HILDA •( Kneeling . ) 
Save me ! Save my life I The trath is known ! 
Tuey'U mjrder me by Pepia s order \ o..ve me ! 

BEKTHA. . 

Save thee ? Piave I prayed and hoped for nought 
These f jur loii;^ years ? And when revenge is nigh 
Sweet and sure , 'vou ask me to wiih'i )ld it? 
My fate was once in thine own tender hands. 
Hadst thou priy y No . Hadst ihou mecry i No . 
Am 1 to show thee some ? Justice says : no . 

HILDA . ( cra^.'lirrr on her knees . ) 
Hear their voiceii I They have iracvcd me '. Save me ! 

BBriTHA . ( softening gradually . ) 
Yet hers was not the greatest guilt ! A weak mind 
A coward heart made her an easy tool 
For others ... 1 cause her deatii 'i 'vV'aat right have I ? 
Shall I do less for her than Gi)d for me ? 
The mercy Heaven vouchsafed to me 
Must 1 extend to her . I loved her once . . . 
My e iriy fncnd . . . mv sister ... ( dashing open 
the dh>r of the hut , ) * Hide thyself ! 

( HILDA rushes in . ) 

SCENE VI. 

Enter Louis , lothaire , &• a few sol- 
diers looking about the paths , the siine . ) 

LOTHAIRE . 

Have j'ou seen the queen , Bathilde ? 

BKRTHA . ( lightly , spinning with her back 
to the hut. ) Here ? the queen ? 

An unworthy serf alone shadows these walls . 

LOUIS . 
We seek her alive or dead . A miscreant 
Slave is she ; n 1 queen , bit the ^n irderess 
Of the real qaeea by the blackest ireachery . 



52 1;' c i- K. \ ' 3ER 1 nA at 1 h £ ; :c I V 

Oar orders are strict positive and short . 

*' To seize and burn her at, t'le nrir _\sc stake 

Without trial a:id on tht: spoi . 

Noue to sheher her . Denounce her presence 

Under pain of death I " 

BERTH A . 

'Tis well 1 shall obey ! 

LOTHAIKE . 

She must be in the neighborhood . 
For we traced her regal inanile , her shining crown 
And flowing white veil for a mile and niore . 
Did you see any one cliiv,l> up this path ! 
( Shnving the riKid abo-i'e . ) 

BHIKTHA . 

N> one could ;i;0 that way wirh mt my seeing them ! 

LOUIS . 

We lost si;^h[ ')i her at the turaiag oi yon road . 

BERTHA . {pointing behind the hut . ) 
Have you searched that tliick-^t !■) i'-k: left? 
Through it you reach the road to Ait^iz . 
That path up then" leads only to a torrent . 

LOTHAIKE . 

We'd better try this road i Come on !she can't be far ! 

( ila'^//;// sOL.':iERs . 

BKRTKA . ( opening (he door . ) 
Step out I The way is clear ! liutVou must haste from 

hence ! 
Leave here 'hat coronet , that brilliant mantle 
And that costly chain ! Deadly tell-inl'-s 
Woidd ihey prove in such a' flight a. ihine ! 

( Giving a coarse cloak to hflda . ) 
Here is ihsi u:a.iiiie Tjber^ in p:":y gave me ! 
There is the wood witness of my misery ! 
Go thee in peace for Bertha is avenged ! 

( HILDA I'dinoves her rgal or,ui/nents &^ pnts 
on the cloak . S'l^. thus produces ^ striking resemblance 
to Btii L-iA /..'/ :/ie third Act. She kneeh ^ kisses ber - 
THA'^ hand &^ slowly climbs the path . bertha ic^at- 
ches her d-^jaiture then ivalks in Jtcp ihought till she 
comes to the jewds . ^he sits on the cloak &^ toys with 
the necklet a/id belt , fa t.nin^ them uncujisciously . ) 

Emblems of power and of glory 
Toys for which the haaiaa hcart'doth yearn 



QUEEN BERTHA or TlIc: VJW . 53 

Baubles that speak to me of bv-:r">-" f^^ys 
Ot s.niliag visions . . . and oi d;;,/. •; , o^.ne ye 
10 luc ior siieiicr .^ To aie , ihy viv.u:a .■' { raising 
the cl ) I'i -iiic ui iicMiy oviy lur s'Duli'n ail uj.':i/tg 
a .'o tile neddet . ) 

How uiiea Utivc 1 dreant these soft warm folds 
Would shield the wearer frum ail human woes ! 
Ah me I How 1 did piaii die weliiare r,i my serfs ! 
How 1 did pray that ihey should Itarii to bless my name 

( gazii^ ai i/ic crown . ) 
•Wha'. makes ihee such a burden.-' Thy power Ir 
Thy weight of gokl ? or the deuds ihou shelterest? 
V/hy , uiou art so lighi ! ( /'uts it on . ) 

Me thinks it fits mc well ! 
( wi/A j(mdimi exaltation as if uii/ic^sifig a dream of 
the fulurc , rising. ) 

What iicw iu-ciigiii takes possession of my soul ? 
Sweet visions of home and fr:endi> revive ! 
Never 'gainst my life was sordid s.cel uplifted I 
Father , moiiier , sisters dear 1 see . . . 
Pepin 1.-, my lord ! ' Fis 1 , who by his side 
Guide iiis bi-w lo kindness and to mercy 
Make his rule be loved and his uiuniphs fair I 

that gipsy . . . her prophetic word.-> . ..'* Unto thee 
A son is b;)rn I Gallia's git>ry and a moUier's pride I 
Blesi vvith his grand sire's name and great like him in 

deeds 1 
From e;ist to west , from north t(^ south 
His name shall crush our Germanic fc/t ! 
His am, saall fell ihe Saracen ! Th'imperial star 
Shines from vasi Atlantic to Arabic shores ! 
A higher fame than Gallia's cjueen is mine ^ 

1 am queen Bertha , mother of Charlemain ! ! t 

SCENE VII. 
Enter soldiers , folloyed by captain the same . ) 

FIKSr SOLDIEK . 

Here she is ! — Comrades !( to bkrtka seizing her . ) 

We've caught you at last ! 
You led us a lively d-ince , my lady I 

BERTH A .( sliaJzing him off . ) 
Unhand me ! How dare you ? 1 an ihe queen ! 



54 QUEEX Bi:RTILi CI TirE rJlV , j 

SECOND SOLDIER . 

A likely tale forsooth 1 We know better than that 1 
The old hag , your mother , all your i.>al deeds did tell. 

BEitTHA . ( realising the sihiatioji . ) 
Biit you mistake me , 1 am iu;i ilic qaeeu I 

FIRST ttoLDIER . 

Ha ! You change tune i^-lready ! You begin to find 
It is rather too hot sometimes to be a queen ! 
You'll find it hotter yet ere we are doae with you I 

SECOND SOLDIER - 

How do yoii like ii nice hut stake , my lady queea-1 

BERTHA . ( horrified . ) 
The Slake ! 

FIRST SOLDIER . 

That is the dish your roy.il jr.outh must chew I 
CAPTAiNf Enteriny . ) 
Let her in peace men ! You. are hci e ^^ execute 
Not to insult that woman ! Go prepare the stake I 
Bring logs and branches and make up che pile I 
Have ihe torches lit I Sound the bugle : Slop ine search 
Summon your comrades here I I'll watch the prisoner ! 

( to BERTHA . ) 

Prepare yourself for death i 

BERTHA . 

Man of mercy . listen ! 
You take me for another ! I am a peasant girl ! 
I live in yonder hut . . . 

CAPTAIN . 
With those clothes on ? Com.e , come, 
What foolishness is this? Why, woman, we have 
Followed thee from our camp and ne'er lost sight 
Of that red cloak and veil I Count of Laon himself 
Pointed you Oiit to us as you were running past I 
Half oar legion followed . The rest remained 
Around your mother's pile ! 

BERTHA . 

'Tis a fatal mistake I 
These are not mine 1 1 found them near my hut . . , 
1 am Bathi^de ! Does no one know me here ? 

CAPTAIN . 
Why don't you say at once you're the princess Bertha 
Whom you murdered four years ago ! 'Twere just as true 
Pshaw I Thy doom is too nigh to waste your time in tales 



QUEZX LERTHA ^; TllE VOW 55 

1 ail ao priest ; still 1 dare advise you 

To st;e;v without delay thit raercv iron abDve 

You c i:iaot [iai bjb.v 1 Tarii to H[-^ave:i those prayers 

Useless to you on earth . St^e ! thy minutes are few. 

The pile is rising fast I 

( S'towing i/w plU in the background . ) 

BERTHA . 

O mockery of fate ! 
Must 1 die thus, branded wiih direst infamy 
When rays of suushine seemed to dawn at last on me ! 
And ao one , no one , to say one word fv)r me I 
Simon, Louis , Clothaire , where are you all ? 
The serfs are at the fields . . . these soldiers 1 know 

not 
The only few I knew I sent away myself ! ! ! 
Kind :n in , you had a mother I In her sacred name 
Delay my fate ... 

CAPTAIN . 

An example so bad 1 could not set my men ! 
Delay means the hope t'escape us ! 
That hope forbear 1 Did you attempt to move a step 
My sword would pierce your heart . Again I say 
Time flies. . . Prepare for death I 

BEKTHA . 

Death ! 1 have faced it once 
Already . . . but this lingering torture ... to feel 
The flaaies rising slowly, upward curling . . . 
Leaving the mind alive, the body gone to ashes ! 
O Heaven, inspire me ! 

FIRST SOLDIER . 

Everything is ready ! 

CAPTAIN . 

Do your duty then ! ( They seize bertha fir* drag her 
.backwards . ) bertha . 

Have mercy ! My death 
Be on your heads ! 'Tis a mistake ! Take me 
Before the king I Show him this ring! 

CAPTAIN . 

Mind not her cries ! 
SCENE VIII. 

•■"^'^E^'ter CHAR (BERT , later pepin &* the couNTEsS , 
later simon ^ serfs . 



CHAR I BERT J. t'usking in siuorJ in hand, ) 
Let me strike her once and avenge my child ! 

BERTHA . ( breaking from the soldiers 
running to hi'n <Sr* kn'eling . ) 

kill me ! I'll die .sjiadly by 3'oar hand ! 

CHAKiBEKi . (pc'iti/ud, dropping his sword,) 
Ah I Bertha \ Does my poor sigh-, deceive me 1 
Bertha I my 'olcssed cuild ! ( /C-n'Taci-ug her . ) 

PEPIN . {foUoivcd by the countess . ) 
Hasten mother , look there ! 

COUNTESS . 

'Tis Bertha ! mv Bertlii 1 

PEPIN . 

i\iy sweet heroic queen ! 
Come to my pdace and soon my tender loving care 
Wdl bring I'orgetfulness to all tliy woes I 

BERTHA - 

It cannot be \ riilda is still thy wife ! 

PEPIN . 

Ere this my guards have seized her and her life 
Has paid her guilt . 

BERTHA . 

She escaped them ! From this very spot 

1 sheltered her trom iheai . 

CHARIBERT . 

Hilda alive or dead 
Can trouble thee no longer . The trankish law- 
Holds void the marriage of a serf ! 

SIMON . {from the path above , holding 
Tybers- cloak . 

The (^ueen is drowned ! She had disguised herself 
In coarse attire . vVe saw her through the bushes 
And cleared it at a jump . She ran . This torrent here 
Suddenly stopped her and when she saw us 
Gaining ground and nearing her , she leapt with a 

scream 
Into the gar:^ling foam . 1 strove in vain to eseize 
Her . The rushing water swept her away and left 
Her mantle in my hands . 

BERTHA . 

1 gave it her ! 
That torrent is the one near which I was to die I 
O Heavenly justice 1 



q'jze:: j:::::'ha c t.::: rjiv 57 

SIMON . {seeing bertha . ) 
Barhilde ! " 

BtiRTHA . 

Nay , queen Bertha 
Who will not forget yoar kiiiJaess lo hJithilde ! 
{^\M.oi^ kmels &* k.sses BiiKTHA'y hani . ) 

PEPIN . ( drawing his sword £r* 
dubbing him knight . ) Rise 

My lord of Beaurepaire ! Let all the land around 
Be thus forever called , for here a queen 
Was sheltered and was saved ; And '.hine it is 
And to thy heirs, as long a^, Gaiiia Uves ! 
( to the crowd -which has assembled. ) 
Know ye all , this is my true lawtul wife 
Bertha of Laon and queen of France ! 
CROWD . 

Hail ! Hail ! Hail ! 



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